Korean Cultural Centre to present a series of concerts at London Southbank Centre
aaamusic | On 18, Jul 2012
All Eyes On Korea
A celebration of Korea’s world music stars: traditional music with a contemporary twist
As part of their 100-day festival of Korean music, film, literature, food, fashion and art, the Korean Cultural Centre presents K-Music, a series of concerts at London’s Southbank Centre highlighting Korea’s exciting and diverse musical scene.
From 23rd to 30th July world music stars will offer London audiences a chance to discover a new musical world. Opening the celebrations will be Be-Being, who present Yi-myun-gong-jak. This concert of traditional Korean Music is inspired by Korea’s long history of mask plays and combines original compositions and performance with reinterpretations of a variety of traditional Korean mask plays. Yi-myun-gong-jak refers to the action behind the scenes – wire-pulling in the background that reveals the symbolic power of the mask and masquerade.
On Saturday July 28th the GongMyong [Resonance] quartet present traditional Korean music with a contemporary twist, playing on up to 30 instruments in one performance, including new instruments of their own creation. The quartet’s harmonious sound breaks down the barriers of genres, branching out into plays, musicals, dance and cinema.
One of the true highlights of the All Eyes on Korea Festival is a performance from Baramgot. Their show will bring a fresh approach to three traditional Korean musical genres: Sanjo (the ultimate instrumental solo genre), Sinawi (improvised ensemble music) and Goot (shaman ritual music for festivals and healing). The main motif of Baramgot’s music is rooted in Korean traditional myths, legends and folk tales; it features a form of musical play, where sounds represent a musical language with dance, images, lighting and art united to create a visual genre that reinforces the music and theatre.
The fourth concert in the K-Music series, Sacheonga, is a work bringing together Korean songs of love and satire inspired by Bertolt Brecht’s The Good Woman of Sezchuan. The traditional genre of Pansori combines solo vocals and percussion. This modernized Pansori programme will be sung by Jaram Lee, a Guinness World Record holder for an 8-hour Pansori performance.
All Eyes On Korea also highlights the best in Korean film, fashion, food and art. Also part of All Eyes on Korea will be a concert from two of Korea’s most prestigious classical musicians: Sumi Jo and Sarah Chang on July 31st.
For more information, please visit the website of the Korean Cultural Centre http://www.kccuk.org.uk/welcome.do
23rd July Be-Being present ‘Yi-myun-gong-jack Queen Elizabeth Hall, 19.30
28th July GongMyoung present ‘Walkabout’ Purcell Room, 19.45
29th July Baramgot Purcell Room, 19.45
30th July Pansori Project ‘ZA’ Queen Elizabeth Hall, 19.30
31st July K-Classics, Sarah Chang and Sumi Jo Royal Festival Hall, 19.30
