Big Bang to release live album Korean boy band Big Bang will release a live album “Alive Tour in Seoul” on Jan. 10. The group was listed on “The Best Concerts of 2012” by The New York Times, Wednesday. / Korea Times fileBy Baek Byung-yeulK-pop’s Big Bang will release a live album “Alive Tour in Seoul” on Jan. 10. The boy band’s management company YG Entertainment said it is compiled from recordings of three shows in Seoul in March during the first stage of the boy band’s world tour.The “Alive Galaxy Tour,” started at the Olympic Gymnasium in Olympic Park on March 2, in partnership with the world’s biggest concert promoter, Live Nation Entertainment, and is expected to draw a total audience of 800,000. Big Bang will conclude their 16-nation tour in Osaka, Japan, on Jan. 12 and 13 and Seoul from Jan. 25 to 27.Big BangDec 30, 2012
Mehta to lead IPO's New Year concertsIsrael Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO)’s New Year gala concerts will take place at Seoul Arts Center on Jan. 5 and 6. / Courtesy of Sens Music ManagementBy Do Je-haeMaestro Zubin Mehta will bring the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO) to Seoul for two gala concerts on Jan. 5-6 at Seoul Arts Center.A former music director of the New York Philharmonic, Mehta has worked with the IPO more than 40 years.On Jan. 5, they will play pieces by Beethoven, Mozart, Strauss and Rimsky Korsakov. On Jan. 6, they will play the Brahms Symphony and some shorter pieces by Beethoven.The IPO appointed Mehta music advisor in 1969, music director in 1977, and music director for life in 1981. Combining concerts, recordings and tours, Mehta has conducted thousands of performances on five continents with the IPO. From 1961 to 1967 he was music director of the Montreal Symphony. He was appointed music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 1962, a post he retained until 1978. In 1978, Mehta became the music director of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. During his thirteen years in NDec 28, 2012
Vienna's New Year Concert to be screened liveVienna’s Musikverein is home to the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra / Korea Times fileBy Do Je-haeEach year since 1941, the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra (VPO) has celebrated the New Year with a concert on the morning of Jan. 1. It is one of the signature events of the VPO.Local fans will be able to watch the concert live in eight Megabox theaters around the country. Five theaters in Seoul, including the one at COEX, as well as three theaters in Busan, Daegu and Gwangju, will offer the live screening of the VPO’s New Year Concert.The screening will take place at 7:15 p.m. on Jan. 1, lasting 150 minutes with a 20-minute intermission.While the concert has been broadcast live on TV and rDec 25, 2012By Do Je-hae
Big names to grace Seoul in 2013Irish alternative rock band My Bloody Valentine are to perform at Uniqlo-Ax in Seoul on Feb. 3. / Courtesy of Live Nation Korea and Earth Wind & Water Multi-genre trio The Script are also one of the awaited acts next year, and will perform on March 27.By Rachel LeeLady Gaga, Sir Elton John and Sting graced Korean stages in 2012, and it seems next year will also bring talented musicians from various genres.RockThe most awaited act of 2013 may be My Bloody Valentine, an alternative rock band formed in 1983 in Dublin, Ireland. The four-member group will perform in Korea for the first time in February. They are known as part of the shoegazing movement, an alternative rock subgenre that emerged in the United Kingdom in the late 1980s where musicians were fairly static while performing.Their 1988 album “Isn’t Anything” is generally regarded as one of the most influential records of the period, acting as an important precursor to the early ‘90s shoegazing scene. Their second album “Loveless,” released in 1991, also receDec 24, 2012
Korean premiere of 'Parsifal'By Do Je-haeA major theme in the world of classical music next year is the 200th anniversary of the birth of composers Richard Wagner and Giuseppe Verdi.The Korea National Opera (KNO) will stage some of the most significant works of the two opera masters in its upcoming season.In particular, the company will stage the Korean premiere of “Parsifal,” the last of Wagner’s work, in October 2013.“’Parsifal’ is the biggest challenge for us next year. The production will show our artistic maturity,” KNO Executive Director Kim Eui-joon said during a recent press conference in Seoul.”The five-hour-long opera is in three acts, and is loosely based on Wolfram von Eschenbach’s “Parzival,” the 13th century epic poem of the Arthurian knight Parzival and his quest for the Holy Grail.In April 2013, the company will stage “Don Carlos” and “Falstaff” by Verdi.Other highlights of the KNO next year are Puccini’s “La Boheme” and Bizet’s “Carmen.”The KNO will wrap up the year with Dec 14, 2012
Cellist Chang tapped as Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra's music directorKorea's young cellist and conductor Chang Han-na said Monday she has been designated as the music director of Qatar's national symphony orchestra."I have been appointed to the job of music director of the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra in a vote by its members for whom I worked as a guest conductor in June," Chang said in a telephone interview with Yonhap News Agency. "I'm really happy but feel a grave responsibility at the same time."Chang, 29, says she will be formally named to the post in September next year and will stay in Qatar for about 100 days a year afterward until the two-year term ends in 2015.It would be the first time that Chang has led a state symphony orchestra if she officially assumes the job.Born to Korean parents in Suwon, just outside of Seoul, Chang began studying piano at age three and cello three years later, getting her name known as a child prodigy extraordinaire. Chang is now considered one of the most sought-after cellists in the world and one of the most important musicians of her generation.After winning both the First Prize and Contemporary Music PriDec 10, 2012
CJ threatens chokehold on concert industryBy Rachel LeeThe “too big to fail” looms as a “once-upon-a-time” tale in the history of Korea Inc., but the media giant CJ E&M’s growing prowess is only broadening and deepening in the entertainment industry. The media giant is once again generating antagonism among smaller-sized concert planners.Securing major venues in Seoul is almost impossible during the winter months especially with the Christmas season, but the prevalence in booking concert venues are mostly by big companies like CJ E&M.The company, aside from its hold on film, cable and musical industry, has been the largest concert organizer that has held concerts for such big names as boy band 2AM, B1A4, Busker Busker, girl group Wonder Girls and singer Lee So-ra this year.From left are English musician Sting’s concert held Wednesday at the Olympic Gymnastic Arena in Olympic Park in Seoul; Kim Bum-soo & Lena Park concert at the Olympic Gymnastic Arena.“CJ E&M has swept the country’s popular venues so it leaves absolutely no room for smaller agencies and it&Dec 10, 2012
Psy slammed for anti-American lyricsPsy, center, performs with backup dancers at KISS FM's Jingle Ball at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles on Dec. 3. AP-YonhapBy Do Je-haeWith the phenomenal success of “Gangnam Style,” Korean singer Psy has been embraced in the U.S. at a level few Asian artists have experienced. But all of a sudden, he finds himself in the awkward position of having to apologize for rapping about killing American troops back in 2004. Anti-American lyrics at a protest performance began to spread online last week and Psy quickly issued an apology Saturday.The Korean-language lyrics that triggered the outrage, particularly in the U.S. where Psy has gained a large following, call for slowly and painfully killing U.S. soldiers and their families. The outburst came during a live performance of Korean rock band NEXT’s song “Dear American” at a concert protesting U.S. military involvement in Korea but the English translation of the lyrics has only recently been widely circulated in the U.S. media. “While I’m grateful for the freedom to express one’s self, I&rsquoDec 9, 2012
Sarah Chang's national tourStar violinist marks 20 years with EMIKorean-American violinist Sarah Chang speaks during a press conference in Seoul on Thursday. / YonhapBy Do Je-haeViolinist Sarah Chang burst on to the music scene at age 9, making her debut with the New York Philharmonic in a 1989 concert under maestro Zubin Mehta. It didn’t take long for EMI to sign her and in 1992 she released her first album “Debut” consisting of solo pieces for violin and piano.This year marks the 20th anniversary of Chang’s exclusive association with the label that boasts a tradition of recording some of the most respected violinists in history, including Nathan Milstein, Yehudi Menuhin and Itzhak Perlman.The Korean-American will celebrate the landmark year with a national recital tour starting today. She visits various citieNov 30, 2012By Do Je-hae
Violinist Sarah Chang to celebrate 20th anniversary of debut albumKorean-American violinist Sarah Chang, who will perform for Korean fans in a concert tour marking the 20th anniversary of her debut album, said Thursday she was able to keep up her two decade-long music career without any breaks because she "just didn't have the time to fall into a slump." "With the series of ongoing performances, my condition always has to be up to a certain level, so I just didn't have the time to fall into a slump or worry about things" the violin virtuoso told reporters at a Seoul press conference."These days, especially, I am the one to make decisions about which music I'll play or the people I'll perform with, so I take personal responsibility for all of my work and try to think positive thoughts, focusing on today and tomorrow's performances instead of previous ones."Chang, who has been playing the violin since age four, is widely recognized as a one-time child prodigy as well as a musical role model after her debut performance with renowned conductor Zubin Mehta and the New York Philharmonic when she was just eight years old.Chang arrived in Seoul Wednesday eNov 29, 2012
