For classical music lovers only

“God engenders life and creation, but art takes its real dimension when performed by people,” says Park Jong-ho, 43, owner of a shop devoted to classical music.
Poetically named Fresh Wind and Bright Moon, the store features a classy European setting.
“I didn’t want to open a shop, but a salon similar to the Harmonia Mundi’s in Montpellier, France, with a classical touch because we do not sell CDs but music,” Mr. Park says.
Mr. Park opened his store last June, driven by his frustration as an opera fan and critic. “There are many shops selling jazz, blues and R&B music and a bit of everything, but we need at least one shop entirely devoted to classical music,” Mr. Park says.
He amassed a collection of rare and popular CDs and DVDs of music and ballets, as well as LPs.
“I must go abroad four or five times a year to ensure that the best quality products are displayed in my shop because all my customers are music devotees,” Mr. Park says.
The boutique has hard-to-find items such as a Mahler symphony conducted by Vladimir Ashkenazy and edited in Japan under the label Exton. Also available is the Japanese edition DVD of the world’s longest opera, “The Ring of Nibelungen,” with 16 hours recorded live in Munich.
The shop has hosted special guests such as Russian baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky and Italian tenor Salvatore Licitra.
If you lack inspiration, the staff, all classical music experts, will recommend the Verdi opera “Rigoletto,” inspired by a Victor Hugo novel.
“If you watch the DVD, you will be very impressed by the music, passion and drama, and you will turn into an opera lover,” says Mr. Park.

Name: Pungwoldang (Fresh Wind and Bright Moon)
Location: Dogok-dong, 800 meters from Galleria Dept. store in Apgujeong-dong
Phone: (02) 578-9020
Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. daily

by Anne Lajoye