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2018
拉赫瑪尼諾夫
Rachmaninoff (라흐마니노프) is a Korean original chamber musical that dramatizes the “lost three years” of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s life, blending classical compositions with theatrical storytelling. The work became one of HJ Culture’s signature titles and later secured full licensed productions in China and a replica Korean-cast run in Taiwan.
English:
Rachmaninoff
Korean:
라흐마니노프
Country: China | Language: Chinese
🔗 All images are linked to their original sources or articles. No copyright ownership is claimed.
ORIGIN
Premiered in 2016 at Dongsoong Art Center, the musical was created by lyricist-bookwriter Kim Yuhyeon, composers Lee Jin-wook and Kim Boram, and director Oh Seyoung. It was developed as a two-hander psychological drama built around live piano and string ensemble arrangements of Rachmaninoff’s own works. The musical earned early critical recognition, winning the Composition and Music Director Awards at the 1st Korea Musical Awards and the Script Award at the Yegreen Musical Awards, establishing HJ Culture’s continuing series of biography-based musicals.
STORY
The narrative focuses on the aftermath of the disastrous premiere of Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 1 in 1897, which drives the young composer into depression and artistic paralysis. He meets Dr. Nicolai Dahl, a progressive psychiatrist who attempts to treat him through suggestion therapy and emotional reconstruction. As the sessions unfold, music resurfaces as both trauma and cure, leading toward the creation of the Piano Concerto No. 2. The musical frames artistic recovery as an inner battle between self-doubt and creative rebirth, scored with re-orchestrated excerpts from the composer’s works.
POSTER COLLECTION
Poster images are shown for documentation only. All rights belong to the original creators and producers.
KOREAN RUNS
2016 – premiere, HJ Culture, Dongsoong Art Center
Followed by multiple restagings including Sejong Center M Theater (2017), National Museum Theater Yong (2018, 2023), and Yes24 Stage (2020–2025)
Winner of Composition/Music Director Award at the 1st Korea Musical Awards; Winner of Script Award at the 5th Yegreen Awards
GLOBAL STAGINGS & ADAPTATIONS
China – Shanghai (2018)
Licensed Mandarin-language premiere – Theater Above, Shanghai Culture Square
Fully re-created in Mandarin with a local cast and new orchestration adapted from the Korean score. Emphasized accessibility to classical music through chamber arrangements and introduced Rachmaninoff’s story to Chinese musical audiences. Critical response highlighted the rarity of a classical-music-based musical in China and praised the balance of narrative and repertoire.
China – National Tour (2019–2021)
Licensed Mandarin-language tour – 13-city circuit including Beijing, Qingdao, and Xi’an
Expanded from the Shanghai premiere into a multi-city tour with rotating principal casts. Maintained the chamber format while scaling staging for mid-sized theaters. Frequently cited by presenters as a model case of successful Korean musical importation into China’s commercial circuit.
Taiwan – Taipei (2023)
Replica Korean-cast run – Taipei Performing Arts Center, Grand Theater
Limited engagement featuring the full Korean cast and creative team as part of a cultural exchange initiative. Strong sales in a 1,500-seat venue, accompanied by audience talkbacks, masterclasses, and piano mini-concerts. Local press framed the production as a landmark introduction of Korean biography-musicals to Taiwan.
REFERENCES
Namuwiki – Korean production overview
Douban – Chinese licensed version listing
https://www.douban.com/location/drama/30282348/
City News Service – Shanghai 2018 report
https://www.citynewsservice.cn/shine/e09f84d0-6a5c-4632-8a76-828db01d141b
Sina – Chinese cast feature
https://k.sina.cn/article_1936930297_737335f900100at3f.html
Naewaynews – Taiwan tour coverage
https://www.naewaynews.com/307209
HJ Culture – company background (official site)
Interpark – Korean ticket archive
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