By Korea.net Honorary Reporter Vladimir Gudzenko
Photos = Korean Cultural Center in Russia
The world famous traditional Korean music troupe Noreum Machi gave its first concert in Moscow on Feb. 23 earlier this year. Such a very special kind of music turned out to be attractive for more than 700 inhabitants of the Russian capital that cold winter evening. The concert was held at the New Opera Theatre in the center of Moscow, with opening remarks by Korean Ambassador Park Ro Byug.
The unusual rhythms of the music captivated listeners and viewers. There was the Gil Nori Grand Heritage, the Binari Prayer to Heaven and the Pan Gut Song of Bamboo & Passing Rain. The only female musician in the band, Oh Hyun Ju, introduced the other musicians. Team leader Kim Ju Hong introduced the traditional Korean musical instruments: the jang-gu, the buk, the jing and the kkwaenggwari, as well as the taepyongso and the piri, a type of bamboo flute.
The Noreum Machi band presents itself as a new wave Korean band, and as a traditional Korean percussion troupe, whose music is based on the rhythms inspired by the sounds of nature. The concert included some shamanistic chants, enchanting dances and virtuoso acrobatics. The four traditional instruments are the instruments of samulnori music, and each of them represents an elements of nature. The metallic kkwaenggwari gong represents the thunderbolt. The jang-gu and buk drums represent hitting the earth. The jing and the kkwaenggwari represent the sounds of heaven.
The spectators expressed their thanks to the artists with applause and flowers.
The next day, Noreum Machi gave a class at the Korean Cultural Center in Russia for members of its amateur traditional Korean music club and for all lovers of traditional Korean music.
wisdom117@korea.kr
