National Gugak Orchestra's Life and History of the Korean People '2020 Gyere's Noryeoden'

On June 17 at Lotte Concert Hall

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] The National Gugak Orchestra, the resident ensemble of the National Theater of Korea, will perform the 2019?2020 National Theater Repertoire Season Orchestra Series IV '2020 Gyeore’s Noryeoden' at Lotte Concert Hall on June 17.

'Gyeore’s Noryeoden' is one of the National Gugak Orchestra’s signature brand performances, introducing music that reflects the life and history of the Korean people. Since its inception in 2000, it has expanded its repertoire over 20 years and presented ten performances, uncovering and performing post-liberation creative songs and North Korean folk music that had not been released domestically. The '2020 Gyeore’s Noryeoden' commemorates the founding of the National Theater and the 70th anniversary of the Korean War, presenting songs that embody the past 70 years of Korean history under the theme of 'War and Peace' through gugak orchestra arrangements.

This '2020 Gyeore’s Noryeoden' features six pieces conveying gratitude to those who willingly sacrificed their lives for the country, consolation to those who lost their beloved hometowns and loved ones due to war, and a message of peace to those who will build the future together based on shared roots between North and South Korea.

The performance begins with Son Da-hye’s composition 'One Song, National Anthem.' It weaves together three anthems: the first national anthem of the Korean Empire, the Provisional Government anthem using the melody of 'Auld Lang Syne,' and today’s 'National Anthem.' Following this is Hwang Ho-jun’s 'Bardo (Bardo) Based on the Theme of Saeya Saeya.' It uses the traditional folk song 'Saeya Saeya Parangsaeya' as its main melody. Through a melody expressing prayers for the salvation of the Donghak Peasant Army, it offers comfort to the souls of those sacrificed in war. The first part concludes with the North Korean song 'Whistle,' composed by Ri Jong-o and arranged for gugak orchestra by composer Kim Sang-wook for this performance. The piece features collaboration with dancer Ahn Eun-mi, who is gaining worldwide attention for her bold and unconventional dance breaking traditional norms, and vocalist Jeong Eun-hye, who expands the range of sound across genres.

The second part opens with composer Yang Seung-hwan’s 'Small Peace,' which strings together songs expressing the sorrow of those separated by the Korean War. It includes thematic melodies from songs composed between 1948 and 1953 such as Yoon I-sang’s 'Traveler,' Jang Il-nam’s 'Waiting Heart,' Yoon Yong-ha’s 'Barley Field,' and Park Si-chun’s 'Be Strong, Geumsun.' Also performed is North Korea’s representative composer Ri Han-woo’s violin concerto 'Ongheya,' composed for a Western orchestra centered on the melody of the Gyeongsang-do folk song 'Ongheya' and arranged for gugak orchestra by composer Choi Ji-hye. Violinist Danny Goo, a former member of Ensemble Ditto and known as the 'idol of the classical music world,' will collaborate. Finally, the commissioned world premiere 'Flower of Scorched Earth' composed by Jang Seok-jin will be performed. 'Scorched Earth' means 'soil blackened by fire,' symbolizing the harshness of war but also the necessity to start a new life and bloom the flower of peace. Composer Jang Seok-jin stated, 'I composed this piece wishing humanity would move toward a peaceful world based on mutual respect.'

The conductor is Kim Sung-jin, artistic director of the National Gugak Orchestra. Artistic Director Kim Sung-jin said, "'Gyeore’s Noryeoden' by the National Gugak Orchestra is a performance with deep history and significance, and I feel both joy and a heavy responsibility to be part of it. We will present a truly meaningful 'Gyeore’s Norye' that everyone can empathize with and enjoy together."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.