Critical Acclaim

“On this showing, Sejong is, simply, a chamber orchestra of world class.”

“The first movement [of Tchaikovsky] reminded all of us of the taste of rich pate while the end of the Waltz in second movement was done most elegantly. The Elegy gave off beautiful balance, maintaining the delicacy of overall nuance in a fluid articulation, which later made the profound half-tone opening in Finale all the more magnificent.”

“The New York-based chamber ensemble, filled with top-notch young performers… played the 1996 piece (Golijov) with a bravado and technique that it made it more entrée than appetizer.”

“New York based Sejong… produce a sound which combines rich vibrancy with a clean-edged brightness and coursing freshness which recreates something of the inspiring effect of a dose of mountain air.”

“…prodigiously accomplished ensemble… Sejong’s virtuoso soloists shone.”

“…taking the world by storm with their expert playing, upbeat image and egalitarian approach to performance.”

“I love the variety of sounds you get. I mean, on the one hand, you get this wonderful, big string sound. There are moments when I'd swear there are 60 players here. And then there are other times when it has the tightness and the concision of a string quartet.”

“All of the musicians are renowned soloists and they come together tonight as one of the top chamber music groups in the world.”

“…polished ensemble that produces beautiful sounds and projects high spirits.”

“They are indeed, as one critic so aptly put it, 'a dream ensemble.' Their work is miraculous....Have you ever been aware of 11 people breathing together, in unison, so to speak? That's exactly what this sounded like....Here were perfect beginnings and endings for every movement. Their three standing ovations were well deserved.”

“With the delicacy and grace of a string quartet, and the power and sonority of a large orchestra, the International Sejong Soloists began an evening of quality and virtuosity... the soloists performed as if the composer was on the empty podium that lay before them...good balance was evident throughout, and their treatment of a wide range of dynamics left one breathless.”

“The International Sejong Soloists provided a definitive example of superb string playing... Its superb cohesiveness was a direct result of the seamless match of tone and technique within each instrumental part… The ensemble made a strong impression, deftly meeting the daunting interpretive challenges while playing with masterly control.”

“The 15-member International Sejong Soloists form a top-notch conductor-less string orchestra. Its concert Sunday at the Kennedy Center's Terrace Theater was a mix of recent works and the tried-and-true, all of which displayed the musicians' concentrated energy, glossy timbres and impeccable synchronization....”

“These extremely talented young people would sound wonderful even in the parking lot next door. It wasn't just the size of the sound, although that was remarkable in itself. It was also the precision, the ensemble commitment of the playing. And it wasn't just cold technical proficiency. This was gorgeous string sound.”