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A Korean Musical Journey: Sound, Silence and Spirit

Am impromptu decision on a rainy week night resulting in a really interesting evening. The MUSICON series promoted by Durham University Music Department runs an (annual?) festival of East Asian Music, with this year's three events focusing on the music of China, Korea and Japan respectively.

I have attended a few concerts of Chinese/Taiwanese origin music and have always enjoyed them; however I don't recall having attended any Korean musical events. This evening's musical journey, held in the Oriental Museum, predominantly featured new compositions by composer Yoon Hyelin - including 2 world premieres! The assembled musicians work towards the concept of 'haal', described in the programme as the 'exclamation made at the moment of realisation or awakening among Buddhist monks'. Throughout the programme the basis of most pieces was an idea of transcending the everyday and moving towards a state of relaxed consciousness.


Mixing between vocal and instrumental pieces, the instrument selection included the piri (oboe); geomungo (six-stringed zither); yanggeum (dulcimer); and a variety of percussion instruments. The general timbre of the evening's music was more percussive than my previous experiences of East Asian music. This worked very well in creating a particular atmosphere of both stillness and dynamism. 

My favourite work of the evening was 'Mando' ('Night Prayer') for geomungo, 2 percussionists and yanggeum. The interplay of textures - wood, metal, bells, water sound effects and the contrasting melodiousness of the yanggeum - created a fantastic sound moment, an entrancing ebb and flow.

Of the two 'premieres', I preferred 'Eungeo' ('Secluded') for piri and geomungo - a piece which grew ever more intense. 

All the performances were very well received by a pretty mixed audience. Sadly I will not likely make the third concert, Japanese Blossom..., but the festival is well worth a look (and listen!). 

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