KAYA Concert: ‘Bridge’
Harmony of Korean traditional harp ‘kayagum’ and guitar
Korean Cultural Centre UK: Multi Purpose Hall
Friday 21st October 2011 7pm – 8:30pm
Register via info@kccuk.org.uk | 020 7004 2600
The team name ‘KAYA’ derives from the Korean traditional instrument ‘kayagum’. Ji Eun Jung plays the modern 25 string kayagum with Sung Min Jeon playing acoustic guitar. They’ve been performing together since 2002 in Korea and since 2005 in Europe after they settled in UK. They’ve performed for various diplomatic, corporate, cultural and charity events including at London City Hall, British Museum, Asia House, Oxford University, Chelsea Flower Show. They were often invited to perform to represent Korea, and also stand for the harmony between the East and the West, and the bridge between Korea and the world. They’ve released two CDs: ‘Bridge’ and ‘Korean Breeze’ in UK. Official website: www.kaya-music.co.uk
Ji Eun Jung
Ji Eun Jung is a professional kayagum player and a national initiator of the Important Intangible Cultural Assets of Korea, No.23 Jook Pa Kim Sanjo. She did her BA in Korean Traditional Music at Ewha Woman’s University and MA in Asian Music at Dong Gook University. After graduate she had performed all over the world.
Sung Min Jeon
Sung Min Jeon is a Korean guitarist and folk singer songwriter. He mainly plays a steel string acoustic guitar with a harmonica. He started playing the guitar when he was 13. His passion for music was inspired by his family. His father plays various instruments and is also a great singer, while his mother used to run a record shop. His uncle is the leader of the greatest Korean folk duo, ‘Sunflower’.
Program
1. Sanjo
Sanjo, Korean representative music for solo instruments, was developed in the 19th century. It is thought to have been developed from shinawi, a form of improvisation played in shamanistic ceremonies in Jeolla Province, in the south western part of the Korean peninsula. Originally, Sanjo was improvised music but now the forms are set. It has five movements which increase in tempo Chinyangjo, Chungmori, Chungjungmori, Chajinmori and Hwimori.
2. Amazing Grace
‘Amazing grace’ is a hymn written by English poet and clergyman ‘John Newton’ (1725-1807). It is one of the most recognizable songs in the world. Ji Eun Jung tries to arrange the song to fit 25 strings Kayagum.
3. Thinking of you
Sung Min composed ‘Thinking of You’ inspired by one rainy day when he thought of someone he loves.
4. Heart for the people
This is Ji Eun’s own composition. As is well known, her home country Korea has been divided into North and South for more than 50 years. In the face of such geographical and ideological division, she believes the most important thing is to continue to love the people who are suffering.
5. Your theme
In Ji Eun’s composition ‘Your Theme’, she intends listeners to let their feelings roam freely inspired by the emotion of the music.
6. Dokdo
Sung Min’s composition ‘Dokdo’ was inspired by Dokdo, the island of the Korean coast in the East Sea. It literally means ‘Solitary Island’ in Korean. It’s a small but beautiful island. Also Dokdo is special and means a lot to Koreans. It’s in every Korean’s heart.
7. Market day / People of the sea / The field – ‘Home’
With photo slide show of Ji Eun’s father Jung Hoi Jung’s photo works – Korean rural scenery in 1970’s
Ji Eun composed and arranged ‘Market day’ and ‘People of the Sea’ inspired by the photos taken by her father, Mr. Jung Hoi Jung, a professional photographer. His photos show scenes of Korea in 1970s. ‘Home’ is Sung Min’s composition.
8. The narrow way
‘The Narrow Way’ is Ji Eun’s own composition and words. There are many ways in our life, but she believes that the true way of life is narrow.
9. New Arirang
Joined by daegum, the traditional Korean bamboo flute, and keyboard
‘Arirang’, is the most representative Korean traditional folk song. ‘Arirang’ is an ancient native Korean word. ‘Ari’ means ‘beautiful’ and ‘rang’ can mean ‘dear’. Ji Eun arranged ‘Arirang’ into a modern style.