North Korea Research Group

Thursday, April 9, 2009
4:00 - 5:00 PM
Vivian Campbell Conference Facility, South House,
Munk Centre for International Studies

Guest Speaker: Professor Louis W. Pauly, Director, Centre for International Studies, University of Toronto

On February 26, 2008, the world watched as the New York Philharmonic gave the first performance by an American orchestra in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Those lucky enough to be present will never forget that historic evening, when people from two long-divided nations were united through the beauty and power of music. By the end of the final encore, both the audience and the musicians onstage stood waving to each other in a new-found spirit of understanding.

Hundreds of millions watched the historic concert on television: the New York Philharmonic concert in Pyongyang. Music became diplomacy when this courageous musical project united Americans and North Koreans. The musicians went from strength to strength in a beautiful program which illustrated the excellency of the orchestra, and Lorin Maazel once more proved his reputation as one of the best contemporary conductors.

Includes previously unreleased documentary with 53 minutes of exclusive material.

Further Reading

1. NY Philharmonic in North Korea, BBC, 2008-02-25
2. Music and diplomacy are just the ticket in N. Korea, Hankyoreh, 2008-02-27
3. New York Philharmonic - Pyongyang Podcast, New York Philharmonic
4. Soft power and a rapturous ovation, The Economist, 2008-02-28
5. A Gershwin Offensive in North Korea, Time, 2008-02-25

Please note that only University of Toronto students and faculty can attend this event.

After the screening, there will be a short commentary on the issue of cultural diplomacy by:

Professor Louis W. Pauly
Director, Centre for International Studies, University of Toronto
Editor, International Organization
Webpage: www.utoronto.ca/cis/pauly

The screening will be followed by a Wine & Cheese reception co-hosted with the International Relations Society at 5:00 - 6:00 PM.

This event is part of the North Korea Documentary Series sponsored by North Korea Research Group