The second of two House Concerts this month both of which feature Jongsun Woo as accompanist. But this one’s special: it’s the first concert at the KCC in front of a live audience since February 2020. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that this tentative return to normality is long-lasting. Jongsun Woo (Piano) and Alicja Kozak […]
Musician: Yun Isang (윤이상)
K-Dance 2020: Art Project BORA: Muak
After their superb performance last year, Art Project BORA return to The Place as the second performance in the 2020 festival of Korean Dance. Art Project BORA: Muak Tuesday 2 June 2020, 7:30pm The Place | 17 Duke’s Road | Euston | London WC1H 9PY UK Early Bird Discount: All tickets £13 until 13 Apr […]
A Festival of Korean Dance 2020
Here’s hoping that I’m not tempting fate by posting this press release. I really hope that the health emergency is over by the end of May. Keep your fingers crossed, because this festival gets better each year. As last year, there are three performances and one pre-performance discussion: Fri 29 May: Collective A | MIIN: […]
2012 Travel Diary #14: Mugwort pancakes and bronze age dolmen
Tongyeong and Sancheong, Gyeongsangnam-do, Wednesday 28 March 2012. It’s time to leave Tongyeong, and head off to Sancheong, where I have happily spent much of my time in Korea in recent years. We set off along the main Tongyeong to Seoul expressway, which passes alongside the Gyeonghogang river and thus cuts through the heart of Sancheong […]
2012 Travel Diary 12: Yun Isang’s music at TIMF 2012
Tongyeong, Gyeongsangnam-do, Tuesday 27 March 2012. Just how popular is Yun Isang’s music? At best, it’s an acquired taste, and one which I have yet to acquire, though I do know people who say they like it. In conversation with Alexander Liebreich, artistic director of the Tongyeong International Music Festival since 2011 and chief conductor of […]
2012 Travel Diary 9: Yun Isang — Victim of the Cold War
Tongyeong, Gyeongsangnam-do, Monday 26 March 2012. For most big Korean cultural events there’s a glossy brochure with a welcome message from various officials and dignitaries. And for the most important events you might expect a welcome message from the Minister of Culture. It is a measure of the sensitivity of the Tongyeong International Music Festival’s […]
2012 Travel Diary 8: Yun Isang, Sancheong and Tongyeong
Tongyeong, Gyeongsangnam-do, Monday 26 March 2012. The day has been devoted mainly to exploring some of the Joseon dynasty naval history in which Tongyeong played its part. But we’re also in Tongyeong to attend the Tongyeong International Music Festival, focusing on concerts which have music by Tongyeong’s most famous musical son, composer Yun Isang. In […]
Oh Kil-nam, double defector, on the BBC
Interesting interview with Oh Kil-nam on the BBC website. Oh defected from the South to the North with his family (partly at the persuasion of composer Yun Isang), realised his mistake and defected back – on his own. His wife and daughters (now known as the Daughters of Tongyeong) got sent to Yodok. You can […]
Yun Isang memorial hall opens in Tongyeong
Memorial park opens to honour one of Korea's most famous composers, Yun Isang, in his home town, at a cost of 8 billion won – JoongAng Daily http://bit.ly/9B2doC # “It feels like father’s spirit has returned here,” said his daughter Yun Yun-jeong at the opening ceremony, while shedding tears, according to the JoongAng Daily.
Concert notes: Jasmine Choi’s Wigmore debut
In the first few moments of a concert you can often tell whether the next hour and a half is going to be enthralling or simply pleasant. With Jasmine Choi’s opening notes of Debussy’s Syrinx, you knew it was going to be the former. Being an item for solo flute, the lights could be dimmed […]
Yun Isang – Korea’s best-known classical composer
On Monday next week we have the rare opportunity to hear some work by possibly Korea’s best-known composer in the Western “classical” style, Yun Isang (윤이상). Yun was born on Korea’s south coast near Tongyeong (통영) in 1917, and during the colonial period studied Western classical music in Korea and Japan. He was also involved […]
Event news: Jasmine Choi at the Wigmore
Notice of an upcoming recital at the Wigmore, including a rare opportunity to hear a work by Korean composer Yun Isang, and an exclusive deal for lucky LKL readers. Jasmine Choi – flute Ashley Wass – piano Debussy – Syrinx Reinecke – Sonata for flute and piano Op. 167 ‘Undine’ Yun – Garak Bartók – […]