Geomungo Factory was the second fusion concert as part of the K-Music 2013 Festival. The cool air conditioning inside the Cadogan Hall provided a welcome respite from the muggy atmosphere outside; and the clean, modern lines of the outfits worn by the four Geomungo Factory members promised that we were not about to hear a … [Read More]
Category: Festivals (page 37)
Concert review: National Orchestra of Korea gives K-Music 2013 a triumphant start
The UK debut of the National Orchestra of Korea at the Barbican on 14 June launched the 2013 K-music festival. In his interview with LKL the day before, the orchestra’s musical director Won Il had promised sounds that a British audience had never heard before. And the orchestra certainly delivered on that promise. The 60-piece … [Read More]
Ryoo Seung-wan interview: stars, spies and a divided city
Ryoo Seung-wan discusses star power, casting strategy and realism in The Berlin File, explaining Berlin’s symbolism as a divided city, his action-scene preparation, views on foreign markets, writing habits, limited interest in Hollywood, genre influences, and balancing commercial filmmaking with personal priorities. [Read More]
The Timbre of Moonlight: Won Il on bringing traditional instruments to a modern audience
In this wide-ranging interview, composer and performer Won Il reflects on his musical journey, Korean traditional sound, percussion and piri, experimental projects like Puri and Uhuhboo, and his vision for the National Orchestra of Korea ahead of its London debut. [Read More]
Preview – Ahn Sook-Sun at the Cadogan Hall: the must-see event of K-Music 2013
Colin Bartlett explains why he’s definitely going to be at the Cadogan Hall on 21 June. To show it isn’t just me that considers Pansori is one of the truly great art forms of the world, I’ll start with a quote from Simon Broughton of Songlines: “Often described as Korean opera, the description is misleading … [Read More]
The Berlin File (베를린, 2013) review: a high-octane journey through espionage, loyalty and humanity
‘The Berlin File’ is at once a tale of political intrigue and a dissection of North and South Korean attitudes to humanity, morals and freedom all wrapped up in a high-octane thriller. While the ultimate narrative destination can largely be predicted, in this case the journey is equally as important, if not more so. [Read More]
“Rising Stars” lunchtime classical recitals at the KCC
As part of the K-music festival the KCC is presenting a series of lunchtime recitals by 10 Korean students from the Royal College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music. Nice to see some Korean lyric songs on the programme for Wednesday, along with some Bridge and Novello. And if I had the time … [Read More]
Korean music in June – a preview
This article was written for London Jazz News, where it appeared in a slightly different version on 20 May. Think Korean music in 2013 is all about tubby rappers and manufactured girl bands? Think again. Coming up in June is K-Music – a festival of Korean traditional, fusion and rock music which may appeal to … [Read More]
Who is Alice? – MMCA’s Biennale Collateral event
The Venice Biennale always has some Korean artists participating in collateral events, but this is the first time I can think of that there has been a major government-sponsored initiative. This special exhibition features works from the permanent collection of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. Exhibition announcement courtesy of the MMCA. Who … [Read More]
Young Gun in the Time (영건 탐정사무소, 2012) review: love, loss, laughter, and lo-fi time travel
Young Gun in the Time uses classic Korean cinema genre merging to be at once science fiction, mystery thriller, action, romance and comedy. Though it is low budget through-and-through, that is in fact one of the many charms of this warm, engaging and gently funny film. [Read More]
K-music focus forum at the KCC
To warm you up for the festival of Korean music coming up during June, a panel of speakers will talk about Korean music at the KCC on 21 March at 7pm. It’s particularly nice to see Songlines on the panel. John Lusk from that magazine did a great article on Kim Duk-soo and other Korean … [Read More]
K-Music: The National Orchestra of Korea at the Barbican, 14 June
The 2013 festival of Korean music starts with a prestigious appearance of the National Orchestra Orchestra of Korea. The orchestra was formed in 1995 and plays modified Korean traditional instruments, performing concerts which combine Korean and Western music in both new and traditional compositions. K-Music: The National Orchestra of Korea Friday 14 June, 8:00PM Barbican, … [Read More]
K-Music: Uhuhboo Project + Pere Ubu at Scala, 16 June
K-film followers may know Uhuhboo Project (어어부 프로젝트) from the soundtrack of Park Chan-wook’s short film Night Fishing and his earlier feature Sympathy for Mr Vengeance, and the Project’s Baik Hyunjhin was in town last year for a performance at his solo art show at 43 Inverness Street. Uhuhboo was founded by Baik together with … [Read More]
K-Music: Geomungo Factory at the Cadogan Hall, 19 June
The K-music festival continues with a fusion Geomungo quartet at the Cadogan Hall, who have had rave reviews from Songlines magazine: K-Music: Geomungo Factory Wednesday 19 June, 7:30PM Cadogan Hall, 5 Sloane Terrace, London, SW1X 9DQ The first-ever British concert by Korean cult band Geomungo Factory, who have taken the geomungo – an ancient form … [Read More]
K-music: Yi Sung Yol and Jang Kiha & the Faces at Scala, 20 June
LKL has long been a fan of Yi Sung Yol – his was one of our albums of the year in 2007. Jang Ki-ha & the Faces is a more recent arrival on the scene, and manages to be slightly retro yet at the same time refreshing. I’m not sure I would describe either artist … [Read More]
K-music: Pansori night with Ahn Sook-sun at the Cadogan Hall, 21 June
Earlier this year at the KCC’s 5th birthday celebrations we had forty minutes of pansori which left the audience wanting more. So here’s some more, for the final concert of the K-music festival. K-Music: Pansori Night – Ahn Sook-Sun Friday 21 June, 7:30PM Cadogan Hall, 5 Sloane Terrace, London, SW1X 9DQ Pansori is Korean musical … [Read More]