'2023 Mixed Orchestra I' Stage
September 15, Sejong Center Grand Theater
Sejong Center for the Performing Arts announced on the 22nd that the Seoul Metropolitan Gugak Orchestra will perform ‘2023 Mixed Orchestra I - Existence and Connection’ on September 15 at the Sejong Center Grand Theater in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
2023 Mixed Orchestra I Existence and Connection Poster. Photo by Sejong Center for the Performing Arts
‘Mixed Orchestra’ is a performance first introduced last year by the Seoul Metropolitan Gugak Orchestra, heralding the birth of a new tool to express Korean traditional music. It received the highest satisfaction rating in the offline audience survey of the ‘2022 Sejong Season.’ Building on the positive reception from audiences and critics, the second performance will be presented this year.
This year’s program will reprise two pieces that were well received last year: ‘Sujecheon RECOMPOSE’ (composed by Jang Seok-jin) and the electric guitar concerto ‘Neungge’ (composed by Kim Seong-guk). ‘Sujecheon RECOMPOSE’ combines bass drum, Western orchestra, and electronic music elements. ‘Neungge’ uses the main melody played on the taepyeongso as material and seeks to create changes in atmosphere through the electric guitar.
Additionally, newly commissioned works this year include ‘Byunhyeong III’ (composed by Park Young-ran, commissioned premiere), ‘Song of Cheonma (天馬)’ (composed by Kang Sang-gu, commissioned premiere), and ‘Boat Song, Farewell Song, Sea’ (original by Seodo, orchestral arrangement by Jang Seok-jin).
‘Byunhyeong III’ is a piece that depicts the process of fusion through exploration, confrontation, and harmony between gugak and Western music. ‘Song of Cheonma’ portrays the vigorous footsteps of Cheonma, which connects life from the earth to the sky. ‘Boat Song, Farewell Song, Sea’ presents Seodo Band’s songs arranged for orchestra.
K-Brown (real name Kim Seong-hyun), a guitarist, producer, and singer-songwriter from ‘Superband 2,’ and Seodo, the vocalist of Seodo Band, will collaborate as special guests to prepare a unique stage with the Seoul Metropolitan Gugak Orchestra.
Kim Seong-guk, director of the Seoul Metropolitan Gugak Orchestra, said, “The ‘Mixed Orchestra’ series, which was successfully introduced last year and is now entering its second stage, will welcome audiences with a more powerful performance alongside attractive and special collaborators fitting the subtitle ‘Existence and Connection.’”
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