서울시립교향악단, Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra

The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra (SPO) became an independent organization in 2005. Under the direction of its first Music Director, Myung-Whun Chung, the orchestra expanded its repertoire and achieved significant artistic growth. In 2020, the esteemed Finnish conductor Osmo Vänskä succeeded Chung as the second Music Director. In January 2024, Jaap van Zweden, former Music Director of the New York Philharmonic and the Hong Kong Philharmonic, began his five-year tenure as the orchestra's third Music Director.
The SPO continues to play a leading role in shaping the Korean classical music scene through its artistic excellence and innovative programming, featuring internationally acclaimed guest conductors and soloists. In addition to its regular subscription concerts, the orchestra presents a wide range of public performances, including large-scale outdoor events such as the Park Concert, Riverside Concert, and Neighborhood Concerts, as well as special programs like the National Liberation Day Concert, Rush Hour Talk Concert, and Museum Concert. The orchestra also offers educational initiatives, including Concert for Kids and masterclasses for young conductors and musicians, fostering both a wider audience for classical music and the development of emerging professional talent.
In 2010, the orchestra embarked on its first international tour, visiting nine cities across Italy, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Russia. This was followed by a European festival tour in 2011, which included a performance at the prestigious Edinburgh International Festival. In 2012, the orchestra received wide acclaim during its North American tour. In 2014, the SPO performed in four European cities, including a highly regarded appearance at the BBC Proms. The orchestra further solidified its position as a prominent Asian ensemble with performances at the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing and Suntory Hall in Tokyo in 2015. In November 2018, the SPO toured Paris and Lucerne, enhancing its reputation as a world-class orchestra. In 2019, the orchestra completed a successful tour of Russia, serving as a cultural ambassador. In 2022, the SPO toured four major European cities—Salzburg, Amsterdam, Vienna, and London—performing at renowned venues such as the Großes Festspielhaus (Salzburg), Concertgebouw (Amsterdam), and Musikverein (Vienna), further establishing its standing as a leading orchestra in Asia. In 2024, the SPO was invited to perform at the Abu Dhabi Classics series.
The SPO also made history as the first Asian orchestra to sign a contract with the Deutsche Grammophon label. Its distinguished recordings include works by Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and Mahler. In August 2022, the orchestra released a recording of Korean composer Isang Yun’s works, conducted by Osmo Vänskä, with the BIS label. As part of its ongoing Mahler cycle with Jaap van Zweden, the orchestra’s recording of Mahler’s First Symphony was released on Apple Music Classical in 2024.

updated on March 2025

Word Mark

오케스트라의 하모니를 3개의 원형으로 시각화하였으며, 각각의 원은 서울시립교향악단과 대중, 음악을 상징하고 있다.
영문 Full Name을 현대적인 워드마크로 표현하여 글로벌 커뮤니케이션을 용이하게 하였으며, Full Name을 직접적으로 표기하여 자부심을 나타내고 있다.