Sejong Center for the Performing Arts announced on the 29th that it will hold a special concert by the Seoul Metropolitan Traditional Orchestra titled "Chamber Music Series I 2024 'Myeong, Myeong (明, 冥)'" at the Sejong Center Chamber Hall on May 10.
Haegum master Kim Aera, concertmaster of the Seoul Metropolitan Traditional Orchestra, will serve as the music director for "Myeong, Myeong," presenting a delicate and refined stage unique to the SMTO Ensemble. The Seoul Metropolitan Traditional Orchestra’s chamber ensemble, 'SMTO Ensemble,' showcased reinterpretations of traditional music and a collaboration with pianist Lim Hyunjung through last year’s performances "Dazzling Fragments" and "SMTO Ensemble with Lim Hyunjung," respectively.
This "Myeong, Myeong" concert, composed of chamber music pieces that allow for a finely tuned interplay among performers, will portray the cycle from day to night, then night to day, from brightness to darkness, and from darkness to brightness, embodying the coexistence of 'Myeong (明)' and 'Myeong (冥)' and the musical diversity reflecting the joys and sorrows of life. A total of seven pieces, including two commissioned works, will be performed.
The first piece, "Intertwined for Gayageum, Viola, and Janggu," was composed by Donald Womack, a professor at the University of Hawaii. It will be performed by SMTO Ensemble’s gayageum player Yoon Jihyun, Chugye University of the Arts viola professor Seo Sumin, and Kim Yongha, a member of the music group 'Bulsechul,' on janggu.
The second piece, "Haegum Solo Piece Myeong 2," was composed by veteran composer Baek Byeongdong, professor emeritus at Seoul National University, in memory of fellow composer the late Lee Seongcheon. It will be performed by haegum player Jeong Hyunji with accompaniment by Kim Yongha.
The third piece, "Piri Solo Piece Chulleong," composed by Lee Kyungeun, winner of the 2023 KBS Gugak Award for Composition, will feature principal piri player Seong Siyoung and percussionist Kim Taehyung performing together.
The fourth piece, "Daegum Solo Piece No. 2: Chuseong, Toeseong, and Nong-eum," which allows detailed observation of daegum playing techniques, was composed by Park Byeongo, winner of the 34th Korea Composition Award’s grand prize. It will be performed by daegum player Kim Heejung with percussion accompaniment by Kim Yongha.
The fifth piece, "Yeo-baek II - Beonjim for Ajaeng Solo," composed by Lim Junhee, head of the Traditional Arts Department at Korea National University of Arts, will be performed as a solo by Kim Sanghoon, principal ajaeng player.
Following these, the Seoul Metropolitan Traditional Orchestra’s deputy conductor Lee Jaehoon will lead the premiere of two commissioned works performed by principal and associate principal players.
The first commissioned piece, "Deonggi Deong," was composed by Kim Sangwook, artistic director of the Seoul Donhwamun Gugakdang Chamber Music Festival, inspired by the musical elements of Seoul Gut. The second commissioned piece, "Mul (Water)," composed by Kim Baekchan, known for the metropolitan subway transfer music "Eolsiguya," will close the concert. Imagining 'sound (音)' that freely changes upon encountering instruments, scales, and rhythms like 'water' that transforms when meeting any substance or situation, the performance will feature guitarist Lee Jinhui, showcasing a harmonious ensemble of traditional Korean instruments and acoustic guitar.
Tickets for the 2024 Chamber Music Series I "Myeong, Myeong (明, 冥)" concert can be reserved through the Sejong Center website and the main phone number. Ticket prices are 40,000 KRW for R seats and 30,000 KRW for S seats.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
