Principles and Theory - Jaeduk Seo

The reason Jaeduk Seo started playing classical music is that he believes it’s the genre that most closely mirrors nature while still being profoundly human in its sound and melody. These days, there are many genres like ambient, soundscapes, or experimental music that attempt to mimic or evoke nature. However, those efforts have never truly resonated with him. To his ears, they seem like attempts to control and confine nature, much like the human-centered philosophy of Francis Bacon, which sought to dominate the natural world through science and reason.

In contrast, he feels that classical music reflects nature in a respectful way, from a human perspective. It doesn’t seek to impose control but rather to harmonize with nature’s essence. He also believes there’s more craftsmanship involved in classical music compared to more modern forms. The sheer power and energy of an orchestra, for example, is undeniable. It’s fascinating how the same piece can dramatically shift in tone and emotion depending on the conductor’s interpretation.

This philosophy also informs his preference for playing vinyl over digital formats. Vinyl seems to capture the raw, unrefined air of the time it was recorded. There’s something magical in adjusting the pitch manually, where the physical force causes slight, unpredictable shifts in tone. That imperfection, that unpredictability, is something he finds incredibly charming. It’s one of the reasons why he enjoys mixing classical music—it’s both timeless and alive, constantly evolving in the hands of those who play it.