Lotte Concert Hall Revisits the Magic: Ham Shin-ik and Symphony Song's Memorable 2019 New Year's Eve Performance
The cheers that filled the Lotte Concert Hall at the end of 2019 still ring in the ears. Now, seven years on, the magic of that very night is suddenly a hot topic again among music fans. A recent broadcast revisiting the live performance has reignited the excitement, drawing in even those who weren't there to experience 'the magic of that night' firsthand.
Ham Shin-ik and Symphony Song: A Unique Synergy
The stars of this concert, running from December 31st, 2019, into the early hours of New Year's Day, were undoubtedly conductor Ham Shin-ik and his orchestra, Symphony Song. As always, he directed his musicians with energetic gestures, and the audience was instantly captivated by his magic. Symphony Song, an ensemble renowned for the warm resonance of its strings, perfectly interpreted grand works by Beethoven and Tchaikovsky, infusing them with their own distinct colour under Ham Shin-ik's dynamic baton.
The Night It Happened at Lotte Concert Hall
Among the countless concerts that mark the end of the year, this one stands out and is still talked about because it transcended a mere performance to become a true celebration. The absolute highlight of the New Year's Eve concert was the impromptu jam session towards the end. The playful glances Ham Shin-ik exchanged with his orchestra members, the spontaneous applause and laughter from the audience – the night was a joyous celebration of breaking down classical music's formal barriers and coming together.
- Repertoire: The 'Ode to Joy' solo from Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, movements from Tchaikovsky's 'The Nutcracker' Suite, and a medley of Korean art songs arranged by Ham Shin-ik himself.
- Special Moment: Just before the midnight bells, the audience joining in for a mass 'sing-along' (?) to 'Eine kleine Nachtmusik' became the stuff of legend.
- Encore: Ham Shin-ik's witty encouragement of his exhausted orchestra members, who were called back for a staggering four encores, provided plenty of laughs for the audience.
Revisiting the Record of That 2019 Night
The recently released live footage and audio from that night have become a treasured gift for music fans. These recordings, which seem to grow more radiant with time, vividly demonstrate how the perfect acoustics of the Lotte Concert Hall space blended seamlessly with Ham Shin-ik's characteristic charisma. While some lament, "If only we could experience that 2019 energy again," it's a comfort to at least be able to trace the spirit of that night through these recordings.
A representative from the concert hall commented, "The 2019 New Year's Eve concert stands as one of the brightest moments in our venue's history. We are committed to continuing to unearth and present such legendary performances." Here in 2026, we're still listening to the echoes of that night's cheers.