INTO THE LIGHT MUSIC OF KOREA 2

Korea’s solo historical dramas of traditional pansori have a long history through which more modern forms have inherited a precious musical heritage. Centering around the five traditional story forms of pansori: simcheongga, heungbuga, jeokbyeokga, sugungga, and chunhyungga, and new works are constantly appearing even today-this genre remains deeply loved by Koreans as an important traditional form of Korea’s music heritage. Along with AHN Sook-sun, CHAE Soo-jung is a pre-eminent singer conveying pansori’s pure artistic values on stage, while reinterpreting this inheritance in a fresh way. For example, a singer/narrator and drummer usually appear alone on the traditional stage, but in a special feature in performances lead by CHAE Soojung, a jester may appear in an unprecedented way, so that such unfamiliarity regarding pansori can bring greater emotional effects, such as more intense interest and tension. Of course such attempts make pansori more clearly understandable, and position CHAE Soo-jung in the place of the most important artist of our time. 

KANG Eun-il Haegum Plus performs several genres of music with Haegum and other Oriental and Western instruments. The music promotes communication beyond time and space. It is also a retrospective of Korean traditional music's past, creating the present towards the future. His Korean New Music group attempts to reach a balance between Korean traditional music and modern age. Kang Eunil HaegumPlus, Yoshida Brothers of Japan and 12 Ladies Music Chambers of China are the most distinguished groups representing Asia with their own indigenous instruments. Kang Eunil HaegumPlus uses Korean traditional music as their text and expresses pure crossover music spanning from Asia to the West. Kang’s music displays the Haegum's potential and place in the global context. The Haegum originally has a slow and rough tone. However, Kang Eunil translates the tradition into a new music full of beautiful melodies and great temperance. Her music approaches us as a lyric poem. Her bowing is so strong and gracious that it will make her fans happy with renewed appreciation of Korean music's potential and give foreigners, who are unfamiliar with Korean music, an opportunity to share in a universal musical experience.

In the Korean world music scene, all of the active performing arts groups have been putting constant efforts to preserve and develop the traditional musical heritage which had been passed down to them from the past. Formed in 2007, Be-Being is one of groups of this kind, which borrows forms and materials from traditional Korean music, but gathers together more experimental musicians than other Korean music performance groups. Their works are about the formation of sounds,of course, yet their music reveals and embodies a visual imagination. While Korean traditional musicians associate all things with the forms in nature, Be-Being takes a further step by combining visual images of Korean traditional music with dance and video on stage. As a result, space and time are transcended in their work, elevating Korean musical and cultural heritage into a universal concept. In order to realize their productions, the seven members of Be-Being previously had worked actively in various fields. Members of Be-beings have written and performed not only traditional music, but popular music, modern dance and film music as well,and has been receiving recognition over the last ten years for their work. As a result, such diverse experiences and know-how have been infused into their music, the combination of traditional and modern music in an original way, and they realizes this fusion in their own stage works.

When seeing for the first time the twelve stringed Korean traditional instrument gayageum, some may think it is similar to the Japanese koto. Likewise, a person listening to the gayageum’s traditional musical style of sanjo for the first time may associate it with Indian raga. However, gayageum music and the instrument itself, with twelve bowstrings that elegantly conjure up natural sounds, are representation Korean music and instrument. Now, various performance and composition techniques are constantly being shown, and recently, a custom-fitted 25 string gayageum has been produced. But the gayageum will remain among Korea’s traditional instruments as the first one to come into a mind as being deeply symbolic of Korea’s musical traditions. Thanks to the efforts of gayageum master players, this instrument remains cherished even in a modern age. Among these masters, it is Hwang Byungki who has been made the subject of much reverent discussions. As a composer, performer and educator, HWANG Byung-ki is adored both at home and abroad, especially for transforming and innovating the way the gayageum is played.

Sonagi Project is a Korean percussion ensemble that draws upon traditional sources to create new, dynamic Korean music. The group breathes new life into Korea’s traditional drumming as it brings these instruments into the 21st century, and performing tradition-based yet original repertoire for contemporary audiences, both domestically and abroad.Sonagi Project creates music informed by various traditional genres. Building on the traditional forms to give its music contemporary sensibility, Sonagi Project takes liberties in certain techniques and rhythms, and at times embraces sources from outside. Indeed, some of its original works contain African and Brazilian influences. Yet its music preserves the sentiment, emotion, and spirit of Korean tradition.

DULSORI is a Korean traditional arts organization established in 1984. Its vision is to produce and develop programs for artistic performance and educational and cultural experience derived from Korean traditional music and arts. DULSORI's dynamic performance has captured the audiences’ hearts and imagination all around the world. "World Beat VINARI" is the a kind of wishing performance motivated by Korean traditional compliment blessing 'Vinari'. The dynamic percussion, passionate instrumental music, and a fervent song make well-wishing music that will bring out the energy of audience's holy dream.