Eric Clapton to Perform in Pyongyang: British Press

World-renowned English rock guitarist Eric Clapton, who is well-known for his song “Tears in Heaven,” is expected to perform in Pyongyang next year, British business newspaper the Financial Times reported yesterday.

Clapton reportedly plans to hold a concert in Pyongyang as a reciprocal visit for the London performance of North Korea’s State Symphony Orchestra scheduled for this summer.

The Financial Times quoted a North Korean official as saying, “Eric Clapton agreed, in principal, to perform in Pyongyang next year.” He added, “We (North Korea) want the West to appreciate our music and songs, and, at the same time, we want our people to better understand the West’s music.”

The State Symphony Orchestra will perform at London’s Royal Festival Hall on Sep. 9 to mark the anniversary of the communist regime’s foundation. The orchestra is expected to play Britain’s national anthem, classical music and North Korea’s traditional music.

In the meantime, following its historic performance in Pyongyang, the New York Philharmonic Orchestra is reportedly planning to hold a concert in Iran, which has long maintained a tense relationship with the U.S.

Lorin Maazel, the orchestra’s music director, told reporters on Tuesday that while performing in Pyongyang, a CNN correspondent in Iran suggested the Iranian performance. Maazel added, “We find nothing wrong with performing in Iran. So if there’s an invitation, we would gladly go there.”

kong@donga.com