Korean traditions rediscovered in Sofia

By Korea.net Honorary Reporter Emilia Kircheva

Photos = Emilia Kircheva

In the beginning of June, a Bulgarian audience had the chance to enjoy a performance by the Korean percussion group Noreum Machi. The event gathered people of all ages and they were all eager to dive into the musical journey on which we were about to embark. Noreum Machi is known for its rediscovery of traditional Korean music and for mixing it with modern elements. It's widely recognized in Korea and around the world.

This was not my first time attending a performance of traditional Korean music. I thought I knew what to expect. In reality, however, their act was very different than anything I had seen before. The music that Noreum Machi plays is enchanting in every way, right from its history. It's known as samulnori and it's an adaptation of an ancient farmers’ ritual that has its origins in shamanism and animism. Each of the four main instruments represents a different element of nature: the janggu represents rain, the buk clouds, the jing wind, and the kkwaenggwari a thunder storm. The beat of the drums was loud and captivating. I tried to trace the movement of their hands, but it was impossible. That's how fast they were playing. The music itself sounded like a harmonic union of natural forces. The strong sound felt like it was purifying the whole space. 

The best part, however, was the interaction of the musicians with the audience. They started their performance not on stage but at the back of the hall, among the audience. This set a very nice and friendly atmosphere for the whole evening. Each of the members introduced himself and told a bit about the instrument he was playing. Before each song they also explained its meaning. There was a prayer for health, glory and a long life, a traditional march from Joseon times, a mixture of traditional and modern sound, and much more. 

The audience was engaged not only with listening, but also with participating. We were invited to sing along with Noreum Machi or to repeat certain words to complete the lyrics. The effort to make a connection with the audience didn't stop there. The group leader, Kim Ju Hong, learned how to say, “Thank you,” in Bulgarian and kept saying it each time the exhilarated audience clapped, which made us clap even more. My favorite moment of the whole evening was when Kim spread wishes for health, love and luck by swinging a big fan toward the audience while saying a blessing, so it felt like he was spreading it over the crowd.

Noreum Machi is doing an amazing job of making traditions cool again, with very high energy, an excellent stage presence and a fresh modern take on traditional Korean music. It was a pleasure to see them in Sofia.

wisdom117@korea.kr

Noreum Machi in Moscow

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

A Korean Christmas concert

By Korea.net Honorary Reporter Celena Davis 

Photos = Flickr of Korean Cultural Centre in the U.K. 

On the evening of Dec. 7, a London audience was treated to an early Christmas present, Korea-style. The evening saw the final concert in the six-part East Meets West concert series. Fitting of the season, this final concert brought with it the joy of the festive season. Over the course of 2016, the Korean Cultural Centre in the U.K. organized a series of concerts fusing Korean and Western music, be this through Korean performers performing Western pieces or combining traditional Korean instruments and Western ones.

The first half of the performance consisted of Korean songs performed by members of the Contemporary Gugak Orchestra. The instruments involved were the gayageum, the geomungo, the daegeum, the sogeum, the piri, the haegeum and the janggu. A total of four separate pieces were played in the first half, all of which were equally beautiful. This included a wonderful duet played on the gayageum and the hageum.

Kudos to the Contemporary Gugak Orchestra. They did a wonderful job and it's safe to say that their rendition of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” was the that best many audience members have ever heard.

Of course, no Korean music performance is complete without the song "Arirang." "Arirang" is a traditional folk song that is said to express the pain and grief of separation, and the song comes in many variations.

My favorite traditional Korean instrument is the gayageum. I first encountered  this beautiful instrument through the Korean TV show "Heartstrings" (넌 내게 반했어) (2011). It was played by the wonderful Park Shin Hye. I then fell for the sound of the gayageum again when I heard it played live in 2013 as a part of a performance by the National Korean Orchestra. The sound of the gayageum is beautiful, almost magical, filling you with a sort of inner peace when you hear it. That night was no exception. 

The second half of the performance contained Western musical pieces performed by a cellist, a string quartet, a tenor and a soprano. The performers in the second half had a tough act to follow and did brilliantly to match the magnificence of the opening performers.

This was a great night for music aficionados and amateurs alike.

Both halves of the performance exuded brilliance, so much so that when the performers left the stage, the audience applauded loudly, wanting an encore. Unfortunately, it was not to be, but we all left feeling very satisfied.

I have seen numerous traditional Korean music performances and they never disappoint. This one was no exception. I encourage you to grab a ticket to the next traditional Korean music performance near you. You won't be disappointed.

Copy of the program

Daeung Baek Monggeumpo Taryeong for Five Instruments

Byeong-gi Hwang  Soyeopsanbang for Guemungo solo

Daeseong Kim Darangswi for Haegeum solo

A Christmas Carol Collection I 

- It Came Upon the Midnight Clear

- Merry Christmas for Everyone

- We Wish You a Merry Christmas

Intermission

Tchaikovsky The Seasons for solo piano, op. 37a January and op.37b December

Tchaikovsky March, Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and Trepark from Nutcracker Suite for String Quartet

Leroy Anderson  'Christmas Festival' arr. for Piano Quintet

A Christmas Collection II

-O Holy Night / Tenor

-Panis Angelicus / Soprano

-Adeste Fideles(Oh come all ye faithful)  / Tenor & Soprano

Accompanying Sijo:

Music is the universal language, whispering in the ears of many 

We heard the gayageum, hageum and the wonderful violin quartet 

Today, let's enjoy this rare fusion between East and West.

wisdom117@korea.kr