The Music Research Group, in association with the Elphinstone Institute, presents its inaugural lecture recital by Yeonok Jang (SOAS, University of London) on 'The Kayagum and its Repertoire' on Thursday 16 November at 5.15 p.m. at the King's College Chapel. The Kayagum is a twelve-string Korean zither invented in the 6th century, and is one of the most popular traditional instruments in Korea, used for court, ensemble and solo music.
Various solo pieces will be performed. Amongst them will be the masterly traditional piece, 'Kayagum Sanjo' ('sanjo' means scattered melody), two newly-composed pieces 'Sup' (the forest) and 'Ch'imhyangmu' (dance performed to the fragrance of Indian incense) by Byonggi Hwang and three short folk songs: 'Arirang' (arirang pass), 'Kkopat'eso' (in flower field) and 'Oppa Saenggak' (thinking of my brother).
The ‘Kayagum Sanjo’ is a highly valued piece of music. It requires several years of hard and intensive training for a kayagum player to master it. The piece begins with slow tempo, increasing its speed towards the end. 'Ch'imhyangmu' depicts the world of Buddhism during the Silla Kingdom (57BC - 935 AD) where worldly beauty is sublimated into religious exaltation. 'Sup' draws the nature of its diversity with singing birds and moonlight shining in a forest after rain.
The performing artist, Yeonok Jang. obtained her Ph.D in Ethnomusicology at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. She was awarded a scholarship from the Korean Culture and Arts Foundation for her talent in performing on the kayagum in 1994. She has performed at various events in Korea and Britain, including the Victoria and Albert Museum in London in February 2000.
The Music Research Group (MRG) has recently been established to bring together all those within the University of Aberdeen engaged in music-related research. This concert marks its inauguration. Its members include staff from University Music, the Elphinstone Institute and the Department of Philosophy. Research specialities include: Renaissance Music, Eighteenth and Early Nineteenth-Century Scottish Music, Scottish Traditional Music, Ethnomusicology and Scottish Ethnology, Composition, and Aesthetics of Music.
Admission to the concert is free and open to the public.
Further information from:
Website: http://www.abdn.ac.uk/mrg/events.hti
Dr Ian Russell, Director of the Elphinstone Institute (Tel. (01224) 272386, Email: ian.russell@abdn.ac.uk)
University Press Office on telephone +44 (0)1224-273778 or email a.ramsay@admin.abdn.ac.uk.