Acclaimed Composer Shin Dong-hoon Premieres Viola Concerto 'Threadsuns' in Berlin

On January 11, 2025, at the Philharmonie concert hall in Berlin, renowned conductor Tugan Sokhiev led the Berlin Philharmonic in a performance that marked the world premiere of South Korean composer Shin Dong-hoon's new viola concerto, 'Threadsuns' (실낱 태양들). The concerto featured principal violist Amihai Gros as the soloist and began with a poignant and melancholic viola solo, showcasing a rich melodic and harmonic flow characteristic of contemporary music.

Following the 23-minute performance, the audience's applause was relentless, prompting Sokhiev to invite Shin to the center stage. It is a rare occasion for a Korean composer to debut a new work with the Berlin Philharmonic, a prestigious ensemble known for its historical conductors like Wilhelm Furtwängler and Herbert von Karajan. The orchestra performed Shin's concerto three times from January 9 to 11, with the final concert streamed live worldwide via the orchestra's 'Digital Concert Hall' service. Notably, pianist Cho Seong-jin, a resident artist with the Berlin Philharmonic this season, was in attendance and is set to perform Shin's chamber work 'My Shadow' (내 그림자) in Berlin on January 19.

Shin Dong-hoon, who has been an avid reader of Kafka and Borges since his teenage years, drew inspiration for the title 'Threadsuns' from a line by the 20th-century Romanian-Jewish poet Paul Celan (1920-1970). The concerto, structured in two movements, culminates in a second movement that evokes the lyrical qualities reminiscent of Mahler's Symphony No. 9. In a phone interview shortly after the premiere, Shin shared, "I often find musical inspiration in literary works. I have long admired Han Kang's novels, from 'The Vegetarian' to 'The Language of My Captor,' for their delicate and sensory language and poetic emotions."

A graduate of Seoul National University’s College of Music, Shin furthered his studies in composition at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in the UK. He was mentored by renowned composer Jin Eun-suk, who was the principal composer for the Seoul Philharmonic's contemporary music program 'Ars Nova' starting in 2007. The performance of works by both Shin and his mentor Jin Eun-suk by the Berlin Philharmonic is an extraordinary event. Reflecting on his time with Jin, Shin remarked, "As a teacher, she was incredibly strict and demanding. When she said, 'Not bad,' after hearing my work, it was the highest praise I could receive."

Shin has gained international recognition, winning the Young Composer Award from the British Critics' Circle in 2019 and the Claudio Abbado Composition Prize in 2021. In 2022, he premiered a cello concerto with the Karajan Academy, an initiative by the Berlin Philharmonic to nurture young musicians. This year, with the premiere of his viola concerto, he has achieved a significant milestone in his career. The concerto is set to have its Asian premiere with the Gyeonggi Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Kim Sun-wook, on May 29-30 in South Korea. Shin humorously noted, "I promised to finish a new violin sonata by the end of this month, but I've only completed half of it. I need to work diligently to meet the deadline!"