Sand Art Meets Organ Music at Lotte Concert Hall's 'Organ Odyssey'

A special classical music stage where the majestic melodies of the pipe organ meet pictures drawn in sand is coming to audiences.

Lotte Concert Hall announced that it will hold "Gold, Organ and Sand Art," the summer season performance of its signature matinee series "Organ Odyssey," at 11:30 a.m. on July 22. The performance is a multisensory stage that combines organ playing with sand art performance, allowing the audience to enjoy music with their eyes as well.

"Organ Odyssey" is Lotte Concert Hall's signature program that introduces the pipe organ in a more familiar way through commentary and storytelling.

Prepared for the summer vacation and holiday season, this performance brings together organists Roh Sun-kyung and Grant Smith, who are active on the world stage, on a single pipe organ. The two performers, who are a married couple in real life, plan to present the rich sound unique to an organ duo based on their close musical rapport.

Roh Sun-kyung is a performer recognized for her skills after winning major international competitions in Europe, including the St Albans International Organ Competition in the United Kingdom. She also took second place at the 2nd Korea International Organ Competition hosted by the Lotte Foundation for Arts. Grant Smith is likewise a next-generation organist drawing attention, active mainly in the United States and Europe.

Sand artist Park Eun-soo also participates, visually realizing the stories within the music. The images created with sand and light will change in real time in line with the flow of the organ melodies, stimulating the audience's imagination.

The program is also varied. In addition to narrative works such as Ravel's "The Fairy Garden" and Saint-Saëns's "The Carnival of the Animals," the performance will include works that convey the brilliant tones and majestic resonance of the organ, such as Bach's "Fantasia in G major," Rheinberger's "Introduction and Passacaglia in E minor," and Rachmaninoff's "Tarantella."

Another highlight of the performance is the "live broadcast from inside the organ." Pianist Kim Kyung-min, who serves as the concert guide, personally goes inside the organ to explain the pipes and the operating principles. Through a large screen, audiences can check the inner workings of the instrument in real time, gaining an easier understanding of the structure and principles of the pipe organ.

"This is a performance designed so that audiences can experience the special instrument of the pipe organ more easily and enjoyably," a Lotte Concert Hall official said. "It will be a summer concert that family audiences and classical music beginners can enjoy without pressure." All seats are priced at 25,000 won.