2024-04-01 10:18:44
5 years of service as the first Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra public relations ambassador… unpaid honorary position
“Soccer and classical music are completely different worlds, but they are very similar.”
“It is similar to the role of a manager and conductor who must maximize the potential and capabilities of players and performers.”
A long-standing relationship with the music director of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, Zweden… Zweden, “Hiddink is my maestro”
Hiddink, “It’s not my place to talk regarding Korean soccer…” “I will definitely say this when I get the chance.”
“A long time ago, while watching a documentary regarding an orchestra conducted by Zweden, I thought that although soccer and classical music are completely different worlds, they are quite similar. In particular, seeing how the conductor strives to maximize the potential and capabilities of each performer, I saw his role as being similar to that of a soccer coach. That’s why I contacted you.” (Guus Hiddink, former coach of the Korean national soccer team)
“Hiddink is my maestro, so I call him ‘Maestro Hiddink.’ I was very happy when someone who was a legend not only in Korea but also in the Netherlands and around the world contacted me, and we built a close friendship as we shared a lot of common values in life. They both know the importance of helping those in need. It is also similar to having players and performers undergo consistent and rigorous training and practice so that they can truly enjoy games and performances in stadiums and performance halls.” (Jap van Zweden, music director of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra)
This is the relationship between the two, which was introduced by former director Hiddink, also from the Netherlands, and the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra’s artistic director Zweden at the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra’s ‘Hiddink Public Relations Ambassador Appointment Ceremony and Press Conference’ held at Seoul City Hall on the followingnoon of the 1st.
The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra public relations ambassador is an unpaid honorary position, and this is the first time that the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra has appointed its own public relations ambassador. Former director Hiddink, together with music director Zweden, who has led the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra for five years starting this year, plans to promote the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra to the world and carry out promotional activities to spread social values, such as the Philharmonic Orchestra’s ‘Accompanying the Weak’ project.
Guus Hiddink, former coach of the Korean national soccer team. yunhap news
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who presented the letter of appointment that day, said, “I am very happy to appoint former coach Hiddink, a world-class soccer legend, as the first public relations ambassador for the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra. (Seoul Metropolitan City) made him an honorary citizen right following the Korea-Japan World Cup in 2002, and we are now in a relationship once more,” he said. “The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra is preparing to leap forward as a world-class orchestra with Director Zweden officially taking office in January. “The collaboration of two masters representing sports and classical music will be of great help in the advancement of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra,” he said.
When asked, ‘When you two meet, do you only talk regarding soccer and music?’ former coach Hiddink said, “We naturally talk regarding various topics with each other, but we also enjoy silence itself.” He added, “The two of us don’t need to talk that much. “We spend a very comfortable time together even without talking,” he said. Music director Tsveden also said, “I think friendship is a good thing in itself,” and “The director is really good at cooking. “When I go to your house, I cook for you and you can eat amazing food,” he said with a laugh.
When asked regarding his taste in music, former coach Hiddink said, “Basically, I like music such as pop and classical music. When it comes to classical music, I tend to listen to songs that are easy to understand and have beautiful melodies rather than heavy and difficult songs.”
Former Korean national soccer team coach Gus Hiddink expresses his thoughts at the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra public relations ambassador appointment ceremony held in the conference room of Seoul City Hall on the 1st. On the right is Jaap van Zweden, music director of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra. yunhap news
Music director Zweden, who said he enjoyed soccer as a child and was a long-time fan of Hiddink, said, “I was born in Amsterdam and became a member of the Ajax team (my hometown soccer team) when I was 7 years old, and I still support it to this day.” He added, “Hiddink has never coached Ajax. “I’m sad it’s not there,” he said. He added, “My friendship with Hiddink is solid, but there is a lot of tension when it comes to the team I support,” adding, “We sometimes argue regarding whether Ajax or Eindhoven (where Hiddink served as head coach) is better (laughter).”
When asked what orchestra and soccer have in common, former coach Hiddink said, “I only know a little regarding soccer, so it would be better for Zweden, who knows both soccer and classical music well, to answer first,” and passed the microphone over.
Music director Zweden emphasized, “When an orchestra plays as a team, the most important thing is for the musicians to hear not only the sound of their own instruments, but also the sounds of other musicians. It is similar to a soccer team playing a game.” “An orchestra is not played by 11 people like soccer, but in many cases up to 100 people play together. So, when you listen and understand each other’s playing well, you can improve your own playing. Even when I practice, I try to refine even the smallest details. This is because when these small details are completed as much as possible, a great overall picture emerges. In that respect, I think the same goes for soccer. The second similarity between orchestra and soccer is that you have to train sufficiently to play and play happily.
In response, former coach Hiddink joked, saying, “The Korean national soccer team needs to appoint a new coach, so why not recommend Coach Zweden?” He said, “I am a very expert at bringing together organizational skills to form the perfect team.”
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon is presenting a letter of appointment to former Korean national soccer team coach Gus Hiddink at the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra public relations ambassador appointment ceremony held in the conference room of Seoul City Hall on the 1st. yunhap news
Music director Zweden said, “Unfortunately, I am currently in charge of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, so it is difficult to take charge of the national soccer team (laughter). As there are many talented Korean players, I hope that a great coach will be appointed so that these players can show off their skills even more.” did.
When asked regarding his position on the reality of Korean soccer, such as the Korean national soccer team that failed in the recent Asian Cup and ended up in the semifinals, the dismissal of former coach Klinsmann, and the discord between players that undermined the teamwork, former coach Hiddink said, “Thursday.” “I’m very much looking forward to seeing what kind of performance the great orchestra team called the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra will perform on the 4th,” he said, avoiding an immediate answer. He added, “Of course, I would like to talk regarding Korean soccer, but I don’t think this is the place today. If another opportunity arises, I will definitely tell you. “Instead, I will enjoy the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra’s game on Thursday,” he added.
Meanwhile, the two are also working together on the ‘Papageno Foundation’, which supports children with autism spectrum disorder. The foundation, which Zweden founded with his wife in 1997, carries out various activities, including providing at-home music therapy by connecting professional music therapists in the Netherlands. They are taking the lead in social responsibility by opening Papageno House and establishing a research center to analyze the effects of early diagnosis and treatment of autism and music therapy.
Former coach Hiddink obtained a physical education teacher’s license while he was a player and taught disabled children at a special school. In 2007, he established the ‘Gus Hiddink Foundation’ and has been carrying out various activities, including the Dream Field Project, to help children with disabilities, multicultural families, and vulnerable groups achieve their hopes and dreams through soccer.
Senior Reporter Lee Kang-eun [email protected]
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