Kumho Soloists will present a five-concert chamber music series themed around Europe throughout 2026, exploring the musical identity and sensibility of various European countries, the birthplace of classical music.
The series opens March 5 with France, followed by Eastern Europe on April 2, Austria on June 25, Russia on December 17, and Germany on December 18.
Founded in 2007, Kumho Soloists is a chamber ensemble composed primarily of musicians who developed through the support of Kumho Cultural Foundation. Performers across violin, viola, cello, and piano flexibly combine according to the nature of each concert. Over the past 18 years, the group has built mature interpretations centered on authentic chamber music repertoire.
This year, young musicians who have completed Kumho Cultural Foundation's artist support programs will join existing members, expanding intergenerational collaboration. The series is sponsored by the Arts Council Korea.
The first concert, titled "French Impressions," features a program highlighting the colorful harmonies and delicate sensibility characteristic of French music. Violinists Kim Jae-young, Kim Dong-hyun, and Yoo Da-yoon will perform alongside violist Shin Kyung-sik, cellist Jung Woo-chan, and pianists Kim Da-sol and Kim Jun-hyung.
The program includes Fauré's "Dolly Suite for Four Hands," Franck's "Piano Quintet in F minor," and Chausson's "Concert for Violin, Piano, and String Quartet." Chausson's work features a distinctive instrumentation with two soloists—violin and piano—supported by a string quartet. Kim Jae-young takes the violin solo and Kim Da-sol the piano solo, while young performers complete the ensemble as the string quartet.