National Gugak Orchestra to Perform in April's 'Noon Concert' Featuring Yutaepyeongyang and Kim Hyunsu

Conductor Im Sang-gyu & Commentary Lee Geum-hee... Movie 'Wang and I' OST, Jazz and Various Program Lineup

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] The National Gugak Orchestra announced on the 18th that it will hold the Gugak brunch concert "Noon Concert."

"Noon Concert" is a representative regular performance of the National Theater that has been gaining steady audience response with easy and friendly explanations and diverse programs since 2009. The April performance will take place at 11 a.m. on the 7th at the National Theater's Haeoreum Hall.

Since last year, announcer Lee Geumhee has been in charge of the commentary, and her unique warm and comfortable explanations help audiences who are new to Gugak Orchestra to understand Gugak more easily. The guest conductor for the April "Noon Concert" is Lim Sangkyu, the permanent conductor of the Ansan Municipal Gugak Orchestra.

Starting this year, "Noon Concert" has organized its program based on the birth flower's flower language corresponding to the performance date. The birth flower for the April performance is "Gongjakgosari" (Peacock Fern), whose flower language means "joy." On a warm spring day in April, the program is composed to be as joyful as the flower language.

The opening piece, "Start of Noon," features "Sing Sing Sing," composed by Benny Goodman in 1953, considered one of the jazz standard numbers. It has been used in numerous commercials and is also familiar to audiences as it was featured in the tap dance scene of the movie "Swing Kids." Composer Kang Sanggu arranged it into a Gugak orchestra version. It is characterized by the attractive jazz tone completed with the rich sound of the National Gugak Orchestra.

"Noon Pansori," performed together with members of the National Changgeuk Company, is a stage where you can enjoy the exquisite harmony of traditional pansori and Gugak orchestra melodies. Yutaepyeongyang, who was once a "Gugak prodigy" and now leads the popularization of pansori, will perform. From Simcheongga, he presents a reinterpretation titled "Cheongomanran," depicting Shim Hakgyu's hardships from the "Ppaengdeok Simsul Daemok to Bangataryeong" section.

The segment "Noon Cinema," where you can experience nostalgic classic movie OSTs arranged for Gugak orchestra, features "Shall We Dance?" the representative song from the 1957 film "The King and I," performed with Gugak orchestra melodies.

Next, "Noon Star" features tenor Kim Hyunsu, a member of "Forte di Quattro," who won first place in JTBC's "Phantom Singer" in 2016. He will perform three pieces with the Gugak orchestra: the aria "Una Furtiva Lagrima" from the opera "L'elisir d'amore," "You Raise Me Up," and "Quizas, Quizas, Quizas."

The concert concludes with "Noon Choice," a stage where the conductor presents a piece he wishes to gift to the audience. The work selected by April's conductor Lim Sangkyu is "Hwicheon," composed by Kang Sanggu. "Hwicheon" is a narrative-rich piece that expresses human joys and sorrows, telling the story of a new figure who plants hope in a land that has endured pain and hardship for generations.

Discount benefits and events for enthusiast audiences are also prepared. Since April 2021, "Noon Concert" attendees are offered a "See Again" benefit, providing a 30% discount for up to two tickets per person. After the performance, all audiences will be offered delicious snacks during lunchtime.