Illumination: On Korean folk songs.
Published: 2006
Language: eng
Number of pages: 89
ISBN-13: 9780494219874
Description: Scored for Taepyungso, Kwanggwarri, Jing and symphonic band, "Illumination" on Korean folk songs was completed in the spring of 2006. It is a single movement work using thematic materials borrowed from three Korean traditional folk songs: 'Seya-Seya', 'Kyunggido A-Ri-Rang', and 'Kangwondo A-Ri-Rang.'As a composer who has been educated in the West as well as in Korea, I am both attracted to the technique of Western composition and Intrigued by the sounds of the traditional Korean songs that I have learned as a child. This work originated from my idea to combine Western musical grammar with the spirit of Korean traditional music in a new and fresh way that reflects recent developments in Western composition. To accomplish this, Illumination"  re-contextualizes the melodic and rhythmic ideas of Korean folk music within the framework of a Western instrumental ensemble.Since the folk melodies use a pentatonic scale, it is this scale that permeates "Illumination'' as a whole. The work begins with a fanfare-like introduction that is immediately followed by the main section with transitions. The three folk tunes are first introduced by a select group of instruments, after which they are restated by other groups of instruments. Thematic material is constantly developed in a canonic manner, both harmonically and structurally, and the tonal canvas is periodically interrupted by dissonant chords. In the finale, all of the musical elements come together and make allusions to events from previous sections. Since my intent is to depict a cheerful outcome, the bright orchestral tone colours of percussion instruments dominate throughout. Here, the familiar timbres of Western instruments such as the timpani, xylophone, vibraphone, and large cymbal are augmented by splashes of non-Western colours from the Taepyungso, Kwanggwarri, and Jing. The overall effect is a conversation between eastern and western instruments, musical textures and ideas understood by both Western and Korean ears.In Korea, traditional music can be generically divided into two major categories, which encompass all subcategories of Korean music. 'Chong-Ak' is music for the ruling class, and 'Sok-Ak' is that of the common people. I chose the three folk songs of "Illumination" from the latter category because of their beauty, simplicity, and festive spirit. Although the moods prevalent in my composition are by turns majestic, poetic, lyrical, mysterious, and festive, the work's overall spirit is nonetheless bright and energetic.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 68-01, Section: A, page: 0024.

Thesis (Mus.Doc.)--University of Toronto, 2006.

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