# Gum Nanse

Gum Nanse, also referred to as Maestro Nanse Gum (Korean: 금난새; born September 25, 1947), is a conductor from South Korea. He gained recognition in 1977 as a finalist in the Herbert von Karajan Conductors' Competition in Berlin, which provided him the opportunity to conduct the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and various other prominent European orchestras. Currently, he holds the position of General and Artistic Director of the Seongnam Philharmonic Orchestra and is the founder and Artistic Director of the New World Philharmonic Orchestra, established in 1997. He served as the principal of Seoul Arts High School from 2013 until his dismissal in August 2019. In April 2021, a concert hall dedicated to chamber music, named the Gum Nanse Music Center, was inaugurated in Busan.

## Early life

Gum was born in Busan, South Korea, to Suhyun Gum, a composer and music educator recognized for his work in the field of music. Growing up in a musically rich environment, Gum developed an early interest in music, leading him to pursue formal education in the arts. He attended Seoul Arts High School, where he received foundational training in music and refined his skills in various musical disciplines.
After completing his high school studies, Gum enrolled at Seoul National University, where he focused on musical composition. During this time, he explored both the theoretical and practical aspects of music, further developing his understanding of the art form.
Furthering his educational journey, Gum traveled to Germany to study conducting at the prestigious Universität der Künste in Berlin. Under the guidance of Professor Hans-Martin Rabenstein, he expanded his knowledge and expertise, gaining valuable experience in orchestral performance and direction. This combination of diverse educational experiences laid a solid groundwork for Gum’s future endeavors in the music industry.

## Career

In 1977, Gum was awarded fourth prize at the Herbert von Karajan Conductor's Competition, becoming the first Korean conductor to lead the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. After returning to Korea in 1980, he was appointed conductor of the KBS Symphony Orchestra, a role he held for 12 years.
In 1992, Gum took a new position at the Suwon Philharmonic Orchestra. Gum focused on introducing initiatives aimed at enhancing the orchestra's performances and updating its public image.
While in Suwon, Gum organized a series of special concerts, including the 7-hour Marathon Concert and New Year's Eve Concert at Seoul Arts Center. Gum also began a new educative concert series for young students in collaboration with Seoul Arts Center in 1994 titled "Young People's Concerts with Gum Nanse". The concerts were reported to be popular during this (1994 to 1999) period, with high audience turnout.
During Gum's tenure as artistic director, the Suwon Philharmonic performed more than 60 concerts per year, up from about 10. Suwon Philharmonic Orchestra's turnaround gathered media attention and in 1995, Samsung Electronics (headquartered in Suwon) built a new outdoor concert hall and rehearsal facilities for Suwon and the Suwon Philharmonic. Samsung Electronics sponsored Suwon Philharmonic Orchestra and supported its international tours, including performances at the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok.
Since 1997, Gum has led the Euro-Asian Philharmonic Orchestra, later renamed the New World Philharmonic Orchestra, focusing on expanding its repertoire and audience. Outside of the New World Philharmonic, he was the artistic director of the Gyeonggi Philharmonic Orchestra (2006–10) and the Incheon Philharmonic Orchestra (2010–14).
In interviews, Gum has highlighted the importance of classical musicians engaging audiences in diverse settings. For example, Gum gave a series of symphonic concerts in the lobby of the POSCO Center (POSCO's main headquarters building in Seoul) in 1999 that included complete Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and Brahms Symphonies.
In recent years, Gum has been active as a festival director. Gum played a leading role in establishing the Music Isle Festival in Jeju in 2005 and the Manhattan Chamber Music Festival in 2012. The Music Isle Festival in Jeju joined the European Festivals Association (EFA) in 2010.
Gum served as the principal of Seoul Arts High School (Seoul Yego) until 2019 and regularly conducts the Korea United College Orchestra (KUCO) which consists of non-music major students from 25 universities nationwide. He also performs the Korea Young Dream Orchestra (KYDO) which consists of young amateur musicians from 25 small provincial towns once a year.
Currently, Gum is the artistic director of the Seongnam Philharmonic Orchestra and Hankyung Philharmonic Orchestra. In September 2015, Gum took on the role of principal guest conductor of the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra.
As of now, Gum holds the following positions:
* Artistic director and conductor of New World Philharmonic Orchestra – since 1997
* Artistic director and conductor of Seongnam Philharmonic Orchestra – since 2015
* Artistic director and conductor of Hankyung Philharmonic – since 2015
* Principal guest conductor of Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra – since 2015
* President of Seoul Arts High School (Seoul Yego) – since 2013
* Artistic director of Raum Art Center – since 2012
* Artistic director of Manhattan Chamber Music Festival – since 2012
* Artistic director of Jeju Music Isle Festival – since 2005
* Artistic director of Busan Chamber Music Festival – since 2014
* Artistic director of Euro-Asian Music Festival – since 2015
* Artistic director of Korea United College Orchestra (KUCO) – since 2010
* Artistic director of Korea Young Dream Orchestra (KYDO) – since 2011
* Chairman of Korea Orchestra Association (KOA) – since 2011
* Honorary Consul of Slovakia – since 2017
* Artistic Director of Gum Nanse Music Center (GMC) – since 2021

## Awards and honors

* 1977 – Herbert von Karajan Young Conductor's Competition
* 1995 – Order of Cultural Merit "Okgwan"
* 1999 – Grand Prize of Korea Music Critics Association
* 2008 – Honorary Doctorate Degree from Keimyung University
* 2009 – Grand Prize of Performing Arts Management Association of Korea
* 2010 – Hyoryung Prize – Cultural sector
* 2011 – Presidential Prize of Sejong Cultural Award – Cultural Sector

## TV appearances

* 2010. 5. 19 MBC <황금어장-무릎팍도사>
* 2011 KBS Prime <Kids Classic Audition> / <키즈 클래식 오디션>
* 2012 KBS <Qualifications of Men> – Family Choir / <남자의 자격> 시즌 3 – 패밀리 합창단
* 2012. 12. 4 KBS <Kim Seungwoo's WinWin> – Episode 140 / <김승우의 승승장구> – 140회
* 2014–2015 tvN <Always Cantare> Season 1, 2 / <언제나 칸타레> 시즌 1,2

## Publications

* 《나는 작은새, 금난새》 Design House, 1996-12-31 ISBN 9788970410722
* 《금난새의 클래식 여행》 Think Tree, 2003-9-30 ISBN 9788984982840
* 《금난새의 클래식 여행 1》 Think Tree, 2006–10 ISBN 9788984986190
* 《금난새의 클래식 여행 2》 Think Tree, 2006–10 ISBN 9788984987098
* 《내가 사랑한 교향곡》 Think Tree, 2008-12-23 ISBN 9788984989238
* 《모든 가능성을 지휘하라》 Yaekyung, 2015-3-2 ISBN 9788970845272
* 《아버지와 아들의 교향곡》 Dasan Book, 2019-11-18 ISBN 9791130625935