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North Korean orchestra mesmerizes audience in Paris

Dunya News

North Korea's Unhasu Orchestra and a French orchestra performed a landmark concert in Paris.

North Koreas Unhasu Orchestra and the renowned South Korean conductor Chung Myung-Whun -- accompanied by the Paris Radio France Philharmonic Orchestra -- conducted a historical joint concert on Wednesday.The musicians played some traditional Korean music, a piece by French composer from the nineteenth century, Camille Saint-Saens, and the First Symphony of Johannes Brahms.Chung, who leads both the French orchestra and the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra made his first trip to North Korea last autumn to organise the historic meeting and said he had waited all his life to see North and South meet and so he decided to hold a concert to make it happen.The conductor, who visited North Korea in September 2011, first tried to organise the joint concert in Seoul and Pyongyang, but without success.He said that the concert in Paris was a step forward and that he was still hoping to reunite the musicians in either North or South Korea.For the concert at the Salle Pleyel, the Unhasu orchestra played Brahms first symphony, chosen instead of the more political Beethovens ninth symphony.Chung had previously suggested he might have selected the Beethoven, but changed his mind. The ninth symphony has connotations of brotherhood and freedom, he explained, and risked being considered too dangerous by the North Korean authorities. He said that this change of musical direction was a sign of a willingness to be more open.South Korean pianist and conductor Chung has conducted almost all the prominent European and American orchestras and the Association of French Theatres and Music Critics named him Artist of the Year in 1991. He also received the Legion of Honour for his contribution to the Paris Opera in 1992.He is a onetime member of the world-renowned Chung Trio along with his sisters, violinist Chung Kyung-wha and cellist Chung Myung-wha.