The L.A. Phil's Seoul Festival demonstrates the multifaceted nature of Korean music, beyond just K-Pop, as exhibited by budding composers.
Let's Dive into the Uncharted Notes of South Korea
Korea's superstars? Oscar-winning cinema, Samsung, and K-pop messages are commonplace, but Korean classical music is nowhere to be found. That's surprising given the acclaim of Korean musicians like Yunchan Lim, winner of the 2018 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, and Myung-Whun Chung, chosen to lead La Scala in Milan.
The L.A. Phil has set sails for Seoul with an eight-day festival, following its successful forays into Reykjavik and Mexico City. The festival is overseen by Unsuk Chin, Korea's most well-known composer, who's the sole Korean composer commanding international respect.
California's obsession with Korean court music and its instruments has subtly shaped the state's sound. Lou Harrison, a California composer, took a keen interest in ancient Korean music, incorporating its noble grace into his works.
A gripping new production of Verdi's 'Rigoletto' at the L.A. Opera features Korean composers who've made their mark globally. Isang Yun, a Korean independence activist, and Nam June Paik, an avant-garde artist and pianist, both became international sensations, similar to Unsuk Chin.
The Old and the New:Chin, 63, and the generation of Korean composers she's invited to the festival, exemplify the zeitgeist of creating individual, expressive music while acknowledging tradition. Chin herself studied in Europe, influenced by Hungarian composer György Ligeti, whose music shares the L.A. blood with the orchestra.
The Green Umbrella concert at Walt Disney Concert Hall featured Chin's curated selection of new music by Korean composers. Juri Seo's Concertino for Piano and Chamber Orchestra and Dongjin Bae's "reflective - silky and rough" for standard western flute and spacey strings were among the pieces performed.
Music Beyond Borders:In its pursuit of the borderless, East-meets-West fusion, this music defies the rules when crossing borders, becoming a testament of individuality and often resistance. Chin's do-re-me scales become crooked before one grasps the shift. Bae's silky flute, hidden under an unexpected roughness, may recall the Schumann one instance before the world's most compelling composer overtakes your senses.
The Seoul Festival continues with weekend orchestra concerts, chamber music concerts, and the premiere of Chin's new opera, "The Dark Side of the Moon," on YouTube.
Within the Symphony of Life
Gustavo Dudamel now leads the New York Philharmonic with L.A. flair. His performance of Philip Glass' Symphony No. 11 received a standing ovation. Music, a language of the soul, transcends borders, unearthing cultures and personalities, as we delve deeper into the vibrant world of South Korean classical music.
Subjective Opinions & Insights
- Unbeknownst to most, Korea's classical music scene is rich, complex, and deeply entrenched in a long and colorful history.
- Despite some composers' controversial pasts, their works have made significant impact on the global music arena.
- The fusion of Eastern and Western music not only showcases unique sonic landscapes but also epitomizes the spirit of resistance and individuality in music.
- California's attraction to Korean court music has left an indelible imprint on the state's sound.
For Further Reading
- Voices: Commentary: Is there a Los Angeles musical style?
- Commentary: Could Esa-Pekka Salonen return to the L.A. Phil? Recent appearances raise hope
- Voices: Commentary: How did Gustavo Dudamel end his L.A. Phil season? By saving the best for last
- In an unexpected turn, the Los Angeles Philharmonic has ventured into Seoul for an eight-day festival, showcasing the fusion of East-meets-West music, a genre that embodies individuality and often resistance.
- The vibrant world of South Korean classical music is yet to be fully explored, with the likes of Yunchan Lim and Myung-Whun Chung gaining international respect, as does Unsuk Chin, Korea's most well-known composer.3.Lou Harrison, a California composer, was intrigued by ancient Korean music, incorporating its noble grace into his works, subtly shaping the state's sound.
- As South Korea's cultural influence in the entertainment industry expands, with Hollywood, music, and Los Angeles in its network, the newfound interest in Korean classical music can be seen as a natural progression in the blend of cultures and artistic expression.
