Every year at this stage in the year, I look back on the cultural highlights, whether they be live performances, exhibitions, movies or books that I have encountered over the past twelve months. Every year I lament that I’ve been unable to cover everything, that I’m getting slower and that there’s been even more to … [Read More]
Musician: Ahn Sook-sun
Selected publications
- Evelyn Glennie, Various: Great Journeys of the World, BBC 1994
K-music 2018: Ahn Sook-sun, 3 November @Purcell Room
Event of the year so far has been the Changgeuk Trojan Women, in which Ahn Sook-sun played a significant part. I’m thinking this fourth concert in the 2018 K-music festival could be even better. Note the early start time. The event is preceded by a free talk. Ahn Sook-sun: Heungbuga (흥부가) Saturday 3 November 2018, … [Read More]
Theatre visit: a changgeuk Trojan Women
An adaptation of a Greek play more than 2400 years old interpreted through the medium of an early 20th century Korean performing practice does not immediately sound a promising theatrical experience, except perhaps to the handful of people who appreciate both Euripides’s take on Homer and Changgeuk’s adaptation of Pansori. Nevertheless, the Purcell Room had … [Read More]
National Changgeuk Company in Trojan Women
I hope I’m not setting my expectations too high, but I wouldn’t be surprised if this is near the top of my list of events of the year. Trojan Women National Changgeuk Company of Korea | Ong Keng Sen Queen Elizabeth Hall Sat 2 June, 7.30pm | Sun 3 June, 5pm | Tickets £22 – … [Read More]
Evelyn Glennie’s musical journey in Korea
Percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie has just been in the news for winning the Polar Music Prize 2015 along with Emmylou Harris. The award, according to its website, is “one of the most prestigious and unique music prizes in the world, crossing over musical boundaries and awarded to individuals, groups and institutions in recognition of exceptional … [Read More]
Ahn Sook-sun’s Pansori Night on Radio 3
If you missed the Pansori night at the K-music festival recently, that’s a shame. But at least the BBC was there to record it, and the evening will be broadcast on Radio 3, 14 July, 10pm. It may well be available on their website too. Fabio Pezzanini took some nice photos of the occasion, which … [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]
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]