Reinterpreting Haegumsanjo Challenged with Viola

Violist Kim Namjung Recital Blooming

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] “The poignant yet powerful tone of the haegeum and the deep, rich melody of the viola share a similar emotional resonance that stirs human feelings.”

Violist Kim Namjoong will take on the world’s first reinterpretation of Haegeum Sanjo at his solo recital on the 5th. While there have been many performances interpreting Gayageum, Geomungo, and Daegeum Sanjo with Western instruments, performing Haegeum Sanjo (Jiyounghee style) with a string instrument is unprecedented worldwide.

Sanjo, also called ‘Heoteungarak,’ refers to instrumental solo pieces in Korean traditional music characterized by unfixed melodies that require the performer’s improvisation and creativity. Kim Namjoong said, “Among traditional Korean musicians, Sanjo is a stage that one devotes a lifetime to contemplating and refining. From a traditional technique perspective, Sanjo performed on the viola may feel unfamiliar, but I wanted to transcend the instrument’s limitations and introduce our country’s emotions to the audience.”

Currently, Haegeum Sanjo is mainly performed in the Han Beomsu and Jiyounghee styles. The Jiyounghee style of Haegeum Sanjo is characterized by a progression that layers the sorrowful Namdo Gyeomyeonjo with the bright and soft melodies of Gyeonggi Sinawi, based on Honam Sinawi melodies.

The viola plays a central role in the orchestra with its mid-range sound. Kim Namjoong explained, “Unlike the violin’s clear and brilliant sound, the viola produces a weighty, heart-touching tone. I arranged the Jiyounghee style Haegeum Sanjo into an 8-minute piece for viola, and performing it for the first time in the world brings both great expectations and pressure.”

Although he is an expert who started playing the viola at age 10 and has performed for over 30 years, early morning practice has become routine ahead of this performance. In a corner of his practice room, a haegeum, sheet music, and Sanjo theory books catch the eye. This is part of his effort to realize the haegeum’s technique of Nonghyeon (string bending and releasing), expressed through two silk strings twisted together, on the viola.

He emphasized, “I am paying special attention to the arrangement score as much as the reinterpretation of the piece. I hope that anyone, including foreigners, can perform Sanjo on foreign instruments just by looking at the score.” His work is enriched in authenticity and depth by the collaboration with renowned percussionist Seo Subok from the National Gugak Center and Professor No Eunah, who teaches haegeum at Seoul National University’s Department of Korean Music.

At this solo recital, Kim Namjoong will also present works by Schumann, Mendelssohn, Bruch, and Bowen in configurations including viola solo, piano, and clarinet collaborations.

Kim Namjoong is a world-class violist who graduated from Seoul National University’s College of Music and earned a Master of Music degree for professional performers from Indiana University in the United States. After nine years as a member of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra under conductor Chung Myung-whun, he transitioned to a soloist career in 2013.

As a soloist, he has performed worldwide, including at New York’s Carnegie Hall in 2014, Berlin Philharmonic Hall in 2015, Russia’s Glinka Concert Hall in 2018, and the University of Tampa in the United States in 2019. He was the first violist to hold a solo performance at the United Nations General Assembly Hall in New York and received the UN International Peace Contribution Artist Award.

Despite many overseas performances as a soloist, he confessed to always having a thirst for Korean music. “After performances, I was often asked to play Korean music as an encore, but it was disappointing and embarrassing that the only piece I could perform was Arirang,” he said. “This challenge has been a dream and goal I planned since high school when I realized that the Korean musical pitches Namryeo and Jungryeo include the syllables of my name Nam and Joong. I want to fully convey the emotions I feel through the more familiar sound of Western instruments to the audience.”

Kim Namjoong’s solo recital ‘blooming’ will be held twice: on March 5 at 5 p.m. at the Busan Cultural Center Chamber Hall and on March 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the Sejong Center Chamber Hall.

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