ACF 1221: P’ungnyu Strings concert at The Korea Society on November 17th

Park Min-ji on komungo

Contemplative Traditional MusicSeries
P’ungnyu Strings (Komungo)
 When: Thursday, November 17, 2011 at 6:00 PM
Where: The Korea Society
950 Third Avenue @ 57th Street, 8th Floor, NY, NY
Entrance on 57th Street, southwest corner of the intersection

Admission: $10Members/$20 Guests/Free for Explorer-level Members

This month'sepisode in The Korea Society's Contemplative Traditional Music Series will feature Park Min-ji playing the komungo, a traditional Korean stringed musical instrument of the zither family of instruments that has both bridges and frets. 

Enjoy a meditativehour of stringed Komungo set to p’ungnyu,the classical ensemble music of Korean nobility and central theme of this autumn's performance series. The KoreaSociety here presents p’ungnyu in its chul-p’ungnyu(stringed-instrument) form. P’ungnyu also refers to a state of leisurewhen one is elevated from the mundane to better appreciate poetry, music andcompanionship.

Accompanying the opening of Highlights,this meditative short performance of six-stringed komungo celebrates p’ungnyu,the classical ensemble music of Korean nobility. As a philosophy, p’ungnyurefers to a state of leisure where one celebrates arts and companionship.

Theevening’s performer, Park Min-ji, graces the audience with her komungoskills. Park graduated from Hanyang University in Korea, washonored at the Dong-A Korean Traditional Music Concours in 2009, and took firstin the National Traditional Performing Arts Competition in 2006. She also tookfirst at the 2010 World Korean Traditional Performing Arts Competition in New York and was amember and soloist with the Seoul Metropolitan Youth Traditional MusicOrchestra. She toured Atlanta,San Francisco,and Hawaiiwith the Korean Traditional Music Orchestra of Hanyang University in 2010.

Thisseries is made possible with public funds from the New York State Council onthe Arts.

More information at www.koreasociety.org or contact Yuni Cho (yuni.ny@koreasociety.org)

ACF 1100: P'ungnyu Woodwind - Traditional Korean Music at The Korea Society on Thursday

Contemplative Traditional Music Series:
P’ungnyu Woodwind (Taegǔm)
When: Thursday, July 21, 2011 at 6:30PM
Where: The Korea Society, 950 Third Avenue @ 57th Street, 8th Floor
Entrance on 57th Street, the southwest corner of the intersection
Admission: $10 Members/$20 Guests/Free for Explorer-level Members

Enjoy a meditative hour of stringed kayagum set to p’ungnyu, the classical ensemble music of Korean nobility and central theme of our spring/summer performance series. The Korea Society here presents p’ungnyu in its chul-p’ungnyu (stringed-instrument) form. P’ungnyu also refers to a state of leisure when one is elevated from the mundane to better appreciate poetry, music and companionship.

Enjoy a meditative hour of the taegǔm, or large transverse bamboo flute, set to p’ungnyu, the classical ensemble music of Korean nobility and central theme of this season’s performance series. The Korea Society presents p’ungnyu in its taep’ungnyu (wind instrument) form. Woodwind artist Choi Seung-hee opens with the Taegûm sanjo and Jajinhanib, invoking a bountiful harvest. Choi has performed over 50 live performances in Korea and majored in Korean Traditional Music at Dankook University in Korea under Yoo Ki-joon and Oh Kyoung-soo.

More information at www.koreasociety.org or contact Yuni Cho (yuni.ny@koreasociety.org)

This performance is presented with the generous support of the New York State Council on the Arts.

ACF 1077: Contemplative Traditional Music Series: P’ungnyu Strings

Contemplative Traditional Music Series:
P’ungnyu Strings (Kayagum)
When: Thursday, June 30th at 6:30 PM
Where: The Korea Society
950 Third Avenue @ 57th Street, 8th Floor
Entrance on 57th Street, southwest corner of the intersection

This Thursday, enjoy a meditative hour of stringed kayagum set to p’ungnyu, the classical ensemble music of Korean nobility and central theme of our spring/summer perfromance series. The Korea Society here presents p’ungnyu in its chul-p’ungnyu (stringed-instrument) form. P’ungnyu also refers to a state of leisure when one is elevated from the mundane to better appreciate poetry, music and companionship.

Park Yoon-sook, founder and president of the twenty-year-old Korean Traditional Music and Dance Institute of New York, opens with a Kayagum sanjo. Before her arrival in the United States, Park spent more than two and a half decades studying kayagum, p’ansori, and dance with many of Korea’s leading artists. Ms. Park won numerous awards and performed over 1,800 concerts across Asia and the United States, including a solo recital at Carnegie Hall. This performance is presented with the generous support of the New York State Council on the Arts.

For more information and to buy tickets online, click here.

ACF 982: Springtime Court Music concert at The Korea Society on Thursday, April 21st

Contemplative Traditions Music Series: Springtime Court Music
When: Thursday, April 21st, 2011 at 6:30 PM
Where: The Korea Society
950 Third Avenue at 57th Street, 8th Floor, NYC
Entrance on 57th Street, south-west corner of the intersection

Artist Han Heejung performs the two-stringed haegûm in the p’ungnyu style, and her subdued and unhurried melodies are designed to prompt contemplation. Han opens with the Yuch'osin chi kok version of Yôngsan hoesang, accompanied by two wind instruments, the taegûm and the hyangp'iri. She also performs the Haegûm sanjo in the style of Chi Yônghûi, a delicate tune reminiscent of Kyunggi folk music with Chinyang, Chungmori, Chungjungmori, and Chajinmori rhythms. Han concludes with Chôk Nyôm, a seven-movement solo piece for haegûm composed by master Kim Yôngjae, and a composition by Yang Sônghwan that derives from the folk music of Kyôngsang province.

P’ungnyu, the classical ensemble music of Korean nobility, is the central theme of The Korea Society’s 2011 traditional music series. As a music of the upper class, P’ungnyu includes the most sophisticated Korean lyric song genre, or kagok, and the indigenous Korean popular song, or sijo. P’ungnyu appears in three varieties: chul-p’ungnyu, with stringed instruments; taep’ungnyu, with wind instruments; and a combination of the two. P’ungnyu also refers to a leisurely state where one becomes appreciative of poetry, music and companionship. Enjoy traditional teas and sweets throughout this special hour of contemplative music, commentary, and Q&A.

About the Performer and Commentator: Han Heejung was a principal member of two traditional orchestras in Korea, the Youth Korean Traditional Music Orchestra and Seoul Korean Traditional Music Orchestra, prior to immigrating to the United States. She graduated from Chu-Gye University for the Arts, where she received traditional academic training and studied under celebrated haegum performers Jung Lim Kim and Kyonng Sook Yang. She joined the Korean Traditional Performing Arts Association’s Chamber Ensemble in 2005, developing new approaches to Korean traditional compositions.

Admission:
$10 Members/Student Guest; $20 Guests; $5 Student Members
Explore Korea card holders attend this program for free with REGISTRATION.

BUY TICKETS

Presented with the generous support of the New York State Council on the Arts.

ACF 949: Screening of "Intangible Asset No. 82" followed by Live Performance

Intangible Asset No. 82
Directed by Emma Franz

2008, 90 minutes

Followed by a Live Performance
When: Sunday, March 27, 2011 at 2:00 PM
Where: Museum of the Moving Image
35th Avenue and 37th Street, Astoria, Queens, NY

N or Q Train to 36th Avenue

The Korea Society closes out Asia Week 2011 at The Museum of the Moving Image with a screening of the documentary Intangible Asset No. 82. In the film, director Emma Franz follows Simon Barker, an Austrailian jazz musician, on his exploration of Korean traditional folk rhythm and shamanic ritual. He meets Intangible Asset No. 82, shaman Kim Seok-Chul, and professor Kim Dong-Won, who advise him on the technique and roots of traditional Korean music.

Simon Barker (left) and Bae Il-dong

Following the screening, Kim Dong-won, Barker and artist Bae Il-dong will perform contemporary and jazz stylings on traditional instruments. This screening is part of Korean Cinema Now, co-presented by the Museum of the Moving Image and The Korea Society. The Museum of the Moving Image recently reopened after a $67 million expansion, with dyamic new architecture by Thomas Leeser and New York City’s newest, state-of-the art screen.

ACF 933: The Korea Society to present p'ansori master BAE Il-dong

Bae Il-dong

Contemplative Traditions Music Series: P’ungnyu in P’ansori
When: Friday, March 25th, 2010 at 6:30PM
Where: The Korea Society, 950 3rd Avenue at 57th Street
Entrance on 57th, the South-West corner of the intersection

On March 25, The Korea Society of New York will proudly host p’ansori master Bae Il-dong. He presents a program of p’ungnyu, enthralling listeners with his stunning control of drama, narrative, melody, and rhythm. Bae performs Korea's beloved tale of Chunhyang ga, one of the five most popular epic narratives that form the p’ansori canon.

The Chunhyang ga tells the story of love between Chunhyang, the daughter of a kiseng, and Yi Mongryong, the son of a magistrate. After the two are illegally married, Mongryong goes to Hanyang (Seoul) to pass the state examination to become a court official. Mr. Bae Il-dong will sing of Yi Mongryong’s return to Namwon as well as his re-encounter with his mother-in-law, Wolmae.

Kim Dong-won

Noted professor Kim Dong-won, who has been part of Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble, speaks on p’ungnyu and Bae Il-dong’s performance during and at the conclusion of the event. Traditional teas and sweets are offered throughout this special hour of contemplative music, commentary and Q&A.

Register here

ACF 928: Dokdo Concert at Korean Cultural Service on March 21st, 2010 at 7:00 PM

The Korean Cultural Service NY will host the Dokdo Racer project group for their New York City concert titled “Dokdo Concert.” This Korean traditional music group is made up of six Korean university students traveling around the world to promote understanding and rights to the disputed Dokdo Islands currently claimed by both South Korea and Japan.

They continue to spread this message through cultural music events and by holding seminars throughout the world. From February 25th – August 15th, they have plans to take their concert to Peru, Argentina, France, Belgium, China and over to Iran. Their tour will take them across four continents to continue to spread world peace and the fact that the islands of Dokdo are indeed part of South Korea. On March 4th, they were welcomed at Stanford University and this event being held at the Korean Cultural Service will feature the same content presented on that night.

The concert night will be held at the gallery space within the Korean Cultural Service located at 460 Park Ave (north-west corner at East 57th Street), 6th Floor, on March 21st at 7:00 PM. This event will feature performances of Korean traditional music and an open seminar session will follow the performance.

This event is open to the public and reservation is not required. Seating is limited to 100 persons.

ACF 830: Korea In-Depth Lecture Series

The Korea Society, NY, will be presenting six of the world’s top experts in Korean studies in a new lecture series called Korea In-Depth. Dive deep into the history, politics, and arts of a dynamic country, close ally, and important trading partner of the United States.

Each lecture in the six-week series will feature a different scholar who will address thought-provoking developments in contemporary issues, literature, history, art, music, and architecture.

Anyone fascinated by the explosive growth of East Asia in world affairs and culture will benefit from this first-ever lecture series. Come and take in all six lectures—or however many you’d like—to deepen your awareness of Korea and its impact on Asia and the world.

The Korea In-Depth lectures will be held from 6:30 - 8:30 PM on Thursdays, from February 10th to March 17th, 2011.

For full info about all six lectures and to register in advance, click here.

The Korea Society is located at:
950 Third Ave @ 57th Street, 8th Floor
(The entrance is on 57th, the South-West corner of the intersection)
New York, NY 10022

ACF 823: Girls' Generation receives music website Soribada's award for Best Artist

Korean female idols Girls' Generation, which I featured in ACF 373 back in September, 2009, has collected several 2010 year-end accolades. These include:

- Best artist on major onine music website Soribada

- Best artist at the 2010 MelOn Music Awards

- Grand prize for album at the 2010 Golden Disk Awards

- Singer of the Year by Gallup Korea

- 2nd most successful new artist in Japan (based on sales) according to the website for the prestigious Oricon music chart

The nine member group also tops YouTube's most watched video list in Korea.

And these are only some of the group's achievements! Quite impressive by any measure, I'd say.

ACF 809: Live House Korea (P’iri and Saenghwang) at The Korea Society

Traditional Music through Seasons: Bamboo Forest in Winter
Live House Korea (P’iri and Saenghwang)

When: Thursday, December 16, 2010 at 6:30 PM
Where: The Korea Society
950 Third Avenue @ 57th Street, 8th Floor, NYC
Entrance is on 57th Street,
near the South West corner of the intersection

Yoon Ju-A guides the listener through a winter grove to the p’iri (bamboo oboe) and saenghwang (mouth organ). Yoon has toured widely and was part of the Happy Bamboo ensemble. A meditative, candlelight holiday performance.

$10 Members, $20 Guests
Register at http://www.koreasociety.org/

ACF 768: From Autumn to Winter-s Eve: A Musical Journey at The Korea Society

From Autumn to Winter’s Eve: A Musical Journey

Minji Park explores late autumn's grasp and the onset of winter through a program of traditional six-string kǒmun’go. The evening’s selections pay tribute to the late season and highlight the masculine, deep sounds of one of Korea’s oldest native instruments. A winner at the 2010 World Korean Traditional Performing Arts Competition in New York, Minji Park will perform from the traditional Korean court and folk music repertoire.

Wednesday, November 17
6:00PM Refreshments
6:30PM Performance

BUY TICKETS

The Korea Society
950 Third Avenue @ 57th Street, 8th Floor
(Entrance on 57th Street, the South-West corner of the intersection)
New York, NY

Admission:
$10 for Members/Students
$20 for Guests
(Walk-in registration will incur an additional charge of $5)

For more information or to register for the program, please contact Heewon Kim or 212-759-7525, ext. 355.

ABOUT THE PERFORMER
Minji Park graduated from Hanyang Unviersity in Korea. An accomplished kǒmun’go artist, she has taken awards at the National Traditional Performing Arts Competition in 2006, Dong-A Korean Traditional Music Concours in 2009, and 2010 World Korean Traditional Performing Arts Competition in New York. She was a member of and soloist for the Seoul Metropolitan Youth Traditional Music Orchestra. In 2010, Minji Park has performed in Atlanta, San Francisco, and Hawaii with the Hanyang University's Korean Traditional Music Orchestra.

ACF 703: "Autumn Leaves" performance piece at The Korea Society, October 7th

Park Sang-Won

Autumn Leaves in Stone Gardens: A Musical Journey

Autumn’s arrival, the splendor of leaves awash in color, and Resting Stones, Standing Stones on exhibit at The Korea Society Gallery inspire this evening of contemplative strings and flute. Kayagǔm master Park Sang-Won joins Chung Chang-Young on haegǔm and flautist Park Jung-Bae on tanso to perform several works. Master Park opens with Youngsan Hoesang, a Buddhist vocal piece that developed into a purely instrumental work in the early Chosǒn period. Kayagǔm Sanjo, an improvisational solo piece, offers a contemplative take on Korea’s most beloved folk song, Arirang. View Resting Stones, Standing Stones prior and after the performance, as well as traditional teas and sweets.

Thursday, October 7, 2010
- 6:00PM Refreshments
- 6:30PM Performance

The Korea Society is located at 950 Third Avenue @ 57th Street, 8th Floor. The entrance is on 57th Street.

$10 for members and students; $20 for nonmembers
(Walk-in registration will incur an additional charge of $5)

For more information or to register for the program, please contact Heewon Kim at 212-759-7525, ext. 355.

About the performer:

Sang Won Park is a master of the kayagǔm, a Korean 12 stringed zither dating back to the 5th century. Park's repertoire ranges from traditional music to contemporary and improvisational music. He studied at Seoul National University. He was a member of the Traditional Music Orchestra of Seoul and a researcher at the Academy of Korean Studies.

He made his western debut at Carnegie Recital Hall in 1979. He then tourned the U.S. and Europe's leading institutions. Les Amis De. L'Orient and Sono Disc in Pris have produced an album entitled Le kayagǔm de Park Sang Won.

ACF 496: Haegum for the Heart - live performance at The Korea Society, NY

Haegum for the Heart

The Haegum is a traditional Korean two-stringed instrument. Renowned performer Leekyung Kang will give a performance of court, folk, and contemporary selections on the Haegum at The Korea Society on Thursday, March 18th, 2010 at 6:30 PM.

Composer and ethnomusicologist Ju-Yong Ha will provide an introduction to the instrument, which dates to the Koryo (a.k.a. Goryeo) dynasty, approximately 918 - 1392 A.D.

Admission is $10 for members and students, $20 for nonmembers. There will be an additional $5 charge for Walk-in registration.

Buy tickets online at www.koreasociety.org or contact Heewon Kim at 212.759.7525, ext 355 or heewon.ny@koreasociety.org

The Korea Society is located at 950 Third Ave @ 57th Street (SW corner), 8th Floor, New York, NY.

Haegum for the Heart is a LIVE HOUSE KOREA event and is made possible with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts.