The music of composer / performer Park Jiha blends classical minimalism and improvised music using traditional Korean instruments like the Piri (double-reed bamboo flute), Saenghwang (bamboo mouth organ), and Yanggeum (hammered dulcimer). Deftly combining the instrumentation and complex expression of traditional textures with an array of contemporary forms and sounds, around which she has developed … [Read More]
Category: World music
Kollab – an evening of Korean music and culture
Experience the rich sounds of Korea in a spectacular live performance. From the deep resonance of tradition to the energy of modern sound, our stage has something for everyone. Lets Kollab! Gayageum: Jung Ji-Eun Korean Traditional Percussion: Lee Kangsan Piri: SEAYOOL Piano: Yoo Ka Youn [Read More]
Hyowa Project X Jieun Kim at The Jago Dalston
Traditional Korean music meets contemporary jazz with Hyowa Project alongside Seoul-based Haegeum player Jieun Kim. Hyowa Project: Hailing from Leeds’ contemporary jazz scene, Hyowa Project blends traditional Korean music with classic rock fusion and modern UK jazz. Founded by visionary guitarist and composer Hyo Jung, our quartet consists of Hyokyung Jung (guitar), Joe van der Meulen … [Read More]
Gray by Silver: The Symphony of Light and Shadow
For the first performance of their Autumn New Talents project, KCCUK presents Gray by Silver, a group who aims to introduce a new sight of Korean art music on a global stage. Programme 다스름 Daseurem 종달새 Lark AYIYA 해방 Liberation Time of Tree Ancient Tree Eternal Gray In this world, there are countless colours, yet … [Read More]
K-Music Festival 2024: an introduction
The programme for the 2024 K-Music Festival is quite possibly the best yet. For LKL, the real gems are the opening and closing events. We hear that the National Changgeuk Company‘s Lear, which opens the festival, is every bit as good as their Trojan Women, which we raved about; and for the closing event pretty … [Read More]
K-music 2024: Lee Heemoon’s Obangsingwa tour in London
Heemoon Lee, the visionary vocalist of SsingSsing, takes us on a transcendental musical journey with his band OBANGSINGWA and their new album, SPANGLE. A powerhouse of Korean music, Lee injects fresh energy and new life into time-honoured Korean folk songs (minyo). Seamlessly blending minyo with a kaleidoscope of genres – including jitterbug, pop, dance, rock … [Read More]
K-music 2024: Seoul Metropolitan Traditional Orchestra x No-Noise
Find yourself in the bustling centre of a town square with No-Noise’s energetic and distinctive blend of Korean and Western sounds and instruments. Performing with the outstanding musicians of the Seoul Metropolitan Traditional Orchestra (SMTO), No-Noise is a dynamic ensemble led by Lee Il-woo, the visionary behind the post-rock sensation Jambinai, and Sung Si Young, … [Read More]
K-music 2024: Black String
Extraordinary Contemporary Sounds from Ancient Instruments. The 2018 Songlines Music Awards winners Black String will premiere new music from their upcoming album set to be released this autumn, following their acclaimed albums Mask Dance (2016) and Karma (2019) on the German label ACT. ‘a spellbinding experience’ (The Guardian on Black String’s K-Music Show) ‘no boundaries … [Read More]
K-music 2024: Seayool with Ligeti Quartet — Suite for Jeju Island
A master of the traditional Korean Piri, Seayool’s contemporary classical work Suite for Jeju beautifully expresses Jeju Island’s poignant narrative and beautiful scenery, reinterpreting traditional instruments’ diction while masterfully merging piri and string quartet. SEAYOOL will be joined in this special performance by the Ligeti Quartet to mark this UK premiere. Through the process of … [Read More]
K-music 2024: National Changgeuk Company — Lear
Discover this visionary restaging of one of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies into a spellbinding traditional opera from some of South Korea’s leading creatives, performers and musicians. This major new production, critically acclaimed at its premiere in 2022, retells a familiar story in the form of Changgeuk. This culturally significant and artistically rich theatrical form in Korea, blends … [Read More]
An Evening of East Asian Music with the Celadon Club: Poetry and Tradition
A journey across the cultures of East Asia, contrasting music from Korea, Japan and China, seeped in tradition and poetic inspiration. The Celadon Club is Hyelim Kim, recipient of a 2023 Paul Hamlyn Award, daegeum (Korean flute) soloist, composer and researcher, alongside Akinori Fujimoto (taiko drum) and Kwong Thye Lee (xiao flute and guzheng zither). [Read More]
Jambinai play Dingwalls, Camden
Jambinai present Korean traditional music in a new and innovative way, with their ground-breaking post-rock sound that combines folk, metal, jazz and ambient electronic elements in a mix of traditional Korean and modern instruments. With their huge following they have wowed stages at major rock festivals, including Glastonbury and Robert Smith’s Meltdown. Their third Bella … [Read More]
Su-a Lee: Dialogues, at Celtic Connections 2024
Celebrated South Korean born cellist Su-a Lee draws on her 30 years of musical experience in her stunning debut solo album Dialogues. Continually reaching beyond the classical genre, the top-class chamber musician has worked with exceptional World music artists throughout her career. She is highly sought after for her distinctive sound, expression, and willingness to … [Read More]
Soritgonggam: Sharing Korean Folk Music, at the KCC
The performance Soritgonggam in London, brought jointly by the Korea Cultural Heritage Administration, Korean Cultural Centre UK, and Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation, will be held here in London to commemorate the 140th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the UK and the Republic of Korea. Held on a special stage prepared in the Cultural Heritage … [Read More]
Jung Jae-il in Conversation
Award-winning composer Jung Jae-il is has created some of South Korea’s most popular scores. He has worked on titles such as Kore-eda Hirokazu’s Broker, Hwang Dong-hyuk’s Squid Game series and collaborated with Bong Joon Ho on Okja and Parasite. At this event, he will talk about the growing appeal of Korea’s cultural output overseas and … [Read More]
Seayool and Worldwide Welshman: From Ancient Songs – Wales
SEAYOOL and Worldwide Welshman have reimagined traditional folk music and melodies from Wales, infusing them with a contemporary sound to present to audiences. Based in London from South Korean musician SEAYOOL is teaming up with Welsh musician Worldwide Welshman to present the project ‘From Ancient Songs: Wales’ as part of their World Music Project. This … [Read More]