The 2016 PyeongChang Music Festival and School, formerly Great Mountains Music Festival and School, will present a refreshing moment to enjoy beautiful harmony in the mountains of Gangwon Province.

Cellist Chung Myung-wha and violinist Chung Kyung-wha, artistic directors of the festival, pianist Son Yeol-eum, who was recently appointed as assistant artistic director, and chairman of the Gangwon Art and Culture Foundation Kim Sung-hwan introduced the program and vision of PMFS at the press conference held at Korea Press Center in Seoul on Wednesday.

In an effort to promote the PyeongChang 2018 Olympics as well as build stronger brand power for the annual music festival now in its 13th edition, the name of the festival was changed, explained Kim.

This year’s “Distinguished Artists Series” is programmed under the theme of “The Immortal Classics: Bach, Beethoven, Brahms and Beyond,” featuring musicians whose surnames start with “B.”

Focusing on the music of the “three Bs,” the festival will feature 65 pieces by 26 composers of baroque, classical and romantic era and the 20th century as well as living composers: William Balcom, Christopher Berg and Baek Seung-wan.

“In addition to the popular pieces by renowned composers, the program will also feature obscure pieces by renowned composers and great music by unknown composers,” said Chung Kyung-wha. 

During the festival, concertgoers can explore some of the lesser known pieces such as Bruckner’s String Quintet, Bruch’s Piano Quintet and Borodin’s String Quartet No. 2 in D major, added Chung, delighted to introduce such hidden gems.

Berg’s “Told Tales Sweet as Untold: Three Poems of Fernando Pessoa,” commissioned by PMFS, will have its world premiere on July 29.

“We pursued a balanced program for each concert, encompassing all kinds of music from the renowned to the rarely performed music, from classics to contemporary ones,” said Chung Myung-wha, explaining that the programming is such that attending the festival even for just two days will give the concertgoers a feel for the entire two-week festival.

The festival will take place at Pyeongchang Alpensia Resort and other regions in Gangwon Province -- Pyeongchang, Jeongseon, Hoengseong, Gangneung, Chuncheon and Wonju -- from July 12 to Aug. 7.

Tickets range from free to 250,000 won ($213) and can be booked at www.gmmfs.com, www.clubbalcony.com, or ticket.interpark.com.

For inquiries, call (033) 240-1360 or (033) 240-1363.

By Jung Eun-jin (jej2403@heraldcorp.com)