Seoul Metropolitan Gugak Orchestra, Ensemble SMTO Launches 'Brilliant Fragments'

Traditional Korean Music Chamber Music Presented in a Classical Dedicated Hall

Sejong Center for the Performing Arts (President An Hosang) announced on the 10th that the Seoul Metropolitan Traditional Orchestra will present the chamber music series I 'Dazzling Fragments,' where audiences can experience the original tones of traditional Korean instruments, at the Sejong Center Chamber Hall on the 19th.

SMTO Ensemble [Photo by Sejong Center for the Performing Arts]

'Dazzling Fragments' is a program focused on the birth of a new ensemble and the reinterpretation of tradition. In this performance, the Seoul Metropolitan Traditional Orchestra will debut the 15-member chamber ensemble team ‘SMTO Ensemble,’ formed mainly by the principal players of each section.

Kim Seongguk, the director of the Seoul Metropolitan Traditional Orchestra, draws inspiration from the traditional creative methods of Korean music to arrange and reinterpret pieces such as ‘Jongmyo Jeryeak,’ ‘Gwanak Yeongsan Hoesang (Samhyun Yukgak),’ and ‘Gyeonggi Julpungnyu Jung Dwitpungnyu.’

This performance offers a chance to experience various traditional music genres in one place, including the essence of court music ‘Jongmyo Jeryeak,’ female vocal songs ‘Urak’ and ‘Pyeonsudaeyeop,’ ‘Suryong-eum’ and ‘Yeomyangchun’ derived from Gagok, the core of Samhyun Yukgak music ‘Gwanak Yeongsan Hoesang (Samhyun Yukgak),’ and ‘Gyeonggi Julpungnyu Jung Dwitpungnyu.’

Additionally, the stage is composed of a diverse range of instruments such as gayageum, yanggeum, geomungo, daegeum, danso, piri, saenghwang, taepyeongso, haegeum, ajaeng, and percussion instruments (bak, pyeonjong, pyeongyeong, jeolgo, janggu, jing, jwago), allowing the audience to deeply appreciate the charm of traditional Korean instruments.

Alongside the SMTO Ensemble’s performance, Kim Younggeun, the holder of National Intangible Cultural Property No. 1 Jongmyo Jeryeak (akjang), and Jo Uiseon, the holder of National Intangible Cultural Property No. 30 Gagok, will appear on stage for ‘Jongmyo Jeryeak’ and ‘Gagok,’ respectively.

Seoul Metropolitan Gugak Orchestra_Dazzling Fragments_Poster.
Photo by Sejong Center for the Performing Arts