By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter
In today's stress-filled world, New Age musicians believe their music can help heal and soothe the frayed nerves of its listeners. New Age music used to be identified with alternative beliefs regarding self-spirituality, but it is now associated predominantly with helping people relax.
New Age musicians David Lanz, Suzanne Ciani, along with duo Tingstad and Rumbel are giving Korean audiences a taste of their unique, uplifting instrumental music. The concert series started Monday at the LG Arts Center in Seoul, with Lanz' ``Moon" concert. Tingstad and Rumbel performed in their ``Fire" concert on Tuesday, while Ciani will hold her ``Wave" concert tonight.
In an interview with The Korea Times, Ciani said she is excited to perform in front of Korean fans for the first time. ``I'm hoping for a good connection with my audience. A lot of them know my music. I know my song 'Turning' was popular here and 'Velocity of Love.' For me, it's a chance to finally meet my fans. I'm really looking forward to it,'' she said.
Ciani is known as a pioneer in electronic music, composing sound effects on the synthesizer. In the 1970's, she famously reproduced the sound of a bottle of Coke being opened and poured, which was used in TV and radio commercials.
Then, Ciani shifted to the piano and in 1982, she started playing New Age music. Since then, she has received five Grammy Award nominations.
Ciani said she wants people to feel ``beauty'' when they listen to her music. ``I want to take them to a place of beauty, outside of their normal life. It is sometimes very special to have these feelings and experience this,'' she said.
For Grammy-nominated pianist Lanz, New Age music is a welcome alternative to pop music. ``I think it offers an alternative to a lot of urban music, which is a reflection of the insane world that we live in. I think a lot of people gravitate towards New Age music as a shelter from the reality of life. This music pulls them out from the day-to-day life and gives them inner calm," he told The Korea Times.
Lanz, known as one of the pioneers of New Age music, has already released 23 albums. When asked how he keeps his music fresh, he said he tries not to think of his past songs when composing music. ``We do want to have a sound that's identifiable, but we don't want to confuse the audience. ... We play an instrument that thousands of people play, but it's the personality (in the music) that distinguishes the musicians," he said.
Lanz' songs, which have been used in TV commercials and dramas, are quite popular among Koreans. He has already been to Korea eight times for various concerts, and he always love the reaction of the fans.
``I'm asking them (the listeners) to just be open to the emotion and the feelings that are in the music itself. The audience may have a whole different reaction to the songs. It's a universal feeling, so it's an honor just for me to know there are people there who are open to the music. I'm hoping they can have their own interpretation and get their own value out of the music," he said.
Grammy Award-winning duo Tingstad and Rumbel have played acoustic instrumental music together for over 20 years, and created 19 albums.
Eric Tingstad plays guitar in the Spanish classical tradition, while Nancy Rumbel is one of the few performers on double ocarina, oboe and English horn. This is the duo's second visit to Seoul.
Tickets range from 30,000 won to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2005-0114 or 1588-1555.