Sarah Willis, first-ever female brass player of the Berlin Philharmonic / Courtesy of Awesome Communication

By Rachel Lee

The Berlin Philharmonic Brass Ensemble is in Korea for the first time, sharing its distinctive sound and traditions to audiences during a five-city concert tour that began yesterday in Busan.

The tour will take them to Goyang, Seoul, Gwangju and Incheon through July 3.

“Our first concert here was a great success,” said Sarah Willis, a French horn player in the ensemble, on Thursday. “I have come to Korea with the orchestra a couple of times, but stayed briefly so I didn’t get a chance to get to know it properly. This time, I’ve realized that Korean audiences are absolutely amazing, really fantastic.”

Willis is the first female brass musician to be hired by the Berlin Philharmonic.

Hosted by Eagon Windows & Doors, this event, designed for the disabled, offers a wide ranging repertoire including “London Miniatures” by Gordon Langford, “Homage to the Noble Grape” by Goff Richards and “Jealousy-Tango” by Jacob Gade. This is the 23rd annual music concert held by the company since 1990.

The members will also hold a master class at a special school for visually impaired children in Incheon on July 1.

“I am overwhelmed by the generosity and vision of the company. Classical music needs more people like Park Young-ju, the CEO of the company,” said Willis.

Founded in the 1950s, it is one of the longest standing ensembles to have emerged from the world-renowned Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. The music of the 12 virtuoso musicians ranges from traditional works from the baroque and classical eras through to commissions by leading contemporary composers and entertaining arrangements of jazz and other popular pieces.

The concert is free of charge at the Aram Nuri Arts Center in Goyang on June 29 at 7:30 p.m., the Seoul Arts Center in Seoul for two shows on June 30 at 2 p.m., and 7:30 p.m., the Gwangju Culture & Art Center in Gwangju on July 2 at 7:30 p.m. and the Incheon Culture & Art Center in Incheon on July 3 at 7:30 p.m.