Korean sinawi music originally accompanied propitiatory rites presided over by a female shaman, or mudang. The word sinawi is also synonymous with musical improvisation based on various rhythmic and melodic devices–the most important characteristic of this genre. This group of sinawi performed by five performers and varying instrumentation evokes the otherworldly sonic space of the […]
The Korea Society proudly presents Barame Soop (Forest, Wind and Rain) performed by the Sonagi Project. One of the leading percussion groups in Korea, the Sonagi Project consists of five musicians led by Chang Jea Hyo. The group has created modern, original music on the basis of Korean traditional rhythms and chants. Barame Soop concerts […]
Enjoy a meditative performance of changgo, a traditional hour-glass drum, adapted for p’ungnyu, the classical ensemble music of Korean nobility and central theme of The Korea Society’s 2011 traditional music series. P’ungnyu also refers to an elevated state of leisure in which one can better appreciate poetry, music, and companionship. Percussionist Lee Chun-seung performs a […]
Minji Park explores late autumn’s grasp and the onset of winter through a program of traditional six-string kǒmun’go. The evening’s selections pay tribute to the late season and highlight the masculine, deep sounds of one of Korea’s oldest native instruments. A winner at the 2010 World Korean Traditional Performing Arts Competition in New York, Minji […]
On September 30, 2009, Minji Kim, traditional percussionist, dancer, and a Republic of Korea 2009 Korean Traditional Artist-in-Residence, performed an evening of folk music on the changgo, an hourglass drum at the heart of traditional Korean music. The night’s program began with an introduction by Dr. Ju-Yong Ha, composer and ethnomusicologist, who also provided commentary […]
A Panel Discussion When the New York Philharmonic became the first American orchestra to play in North Korea on February 26, 2008, decades worth of Cold War reality was stood on its head. With the stars and stripes standing on stage, the 1500 North Koreans in the audience stood at attention as the musicians launched […]
Komun’go performance and master class with Heo Yoon-JeongKomun’go Performer and Composer Thursday, February 28, 2008 Legend has it that when Korean courtiers first played the seven-string komun’go over 1,500 years ago, a black crane appeared and danced to its music. A similar, if less literal magic was in the air as critically acclaimed performer and […]
