JYJ to perform in EuropeBy Kwon Mee-yoo K-pop group JYJ will head to Europe for concerts in Spain in October and Germany in November. The boy band, composed of Je-jung, Yu-chun and Jun-su, will hold their first European concert at Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona on Oct. 29. Then JYJ will then travel to Berlin to for their second concert in Europe on Nov. 6. C-JeS Entertainment, the group’s agency, said it is in talks with Tempodrom about holding the concert in Berlin. “After releasing the album ’The Beginning’ worldwide we were asked to hold concerts not only in Western Europe but in Eastern and Northern Europe. We chose Spain and Germany to attract fans from all over the continent,” the agency said. “We will not differentiate much from the Asia and the U.S. tour, but are excited to meet new fans in Europe.” Meanwhile, the group will release their first album in Korean “In Heaven.” It will feature 10 songs, including the title track “In Heaven,” composed by Je-jung, “Get Out” and “You’re.” The album is available for pre-order from Friday at 10 a.m. at major record shops and online storesSep 7, 2011By Kwon Mee-yoo
BEAST denied entry to JapanBy Do Je-hae Immigration officials banned boy band BEAST from entering Japan Tuesday citing the absence of necessary visas, its agency said Wednesday. “BEAST was detained at Haneda Airport for eight hours after failing to pass through immigration,” Cube Entertainment said in a press release. The agency said that the purpose of BEAST’s visit to Japan was to take part in a premiere for a movie that carried the title song of their first Japanese album. “Universal Japan, the distributor of the album, notified us that they would not need a performance visa. We have no idea why they were denied entry,” the agency said. Meanwhile, another Korean band Focus also failed to enter Japan Tuesday after being held up at the airport for seven hours. BEAST stands for “Boys of East Standing Tall.” They released their first mini-album “Beast Is The B2ST” in October 2009. BEAST started its Japanese venture with the release of a music video for their first Japanese single “Shock” on Feb. 27. It is only the second Korean group to sing on MTV’s “World Stage,” following the Wonder GirlAug 17, 2011By Do Je-hae
Korea’s first Beethoven Symphony cycleDaniel Barenboim & West-Eastern Divan Orchestra Peace Concert Coverage from TJ Choe [CultureM] on Vimeo. Barenboim brings all 9 symphonies this week By Do Je-hae It is nearly impossible to find anyone more knowledgeable about Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) than Argentine-Israeli conductor Daniel Barenboim, who will deliver Korea’s first-ever complete symphony cycle of the German composer from Aug. 10 through Aug.14 at the Seoul Arts Center. A full cycle of monumental works like Beethoven’s nine symphonies is an extraordinary cultural occasion usually reserved for the more mature classical music markets in Europe and in Japan. There is very little of Beethoven’s enormous compositional output that Barenboim hasn’t played or recorded, either as conductor, pianist or chamber musician. “The Beethoven Symphony cycle is probably the most important (musical) statement of a great genius,” Barenboim said in a promotional message through Credia, the concert’s organizer. “It is astounding that, although he died in 1827, his music is still of concern for us today,” he addAug 7, 2011By Do Je-hae
Nation’s first piano festival to open Aug. 13By Do Je-hae Korea’s first classical music festival organized solely for piano opens Aug. 13 at the Gyeonggi Arts Center, featuring the finest masterpieces ever written for the instrument. The “Peace & Piano Festival” is a rare occasion for audiences to hear three generations of Korea’s top pianists simultaneously. “Despite the success of some Korean pianists, Korea has never had a piano festival,” pianist and conductor Kim Dae-jin said during a press conference, Thursday, at the Plaza Hotel in central Seoul. He is the artistic director of the festival. “My hope is that by the end of the festival, audiences will be moved by the excellence of Korean pianists,” he added. The music director of the Suwon Philharmonic Orchestra divides his time concertizing, teaching and conducting. An alumnus of the Juilliard School, he is the first prize winner of the Cleveland Competition and serves as member of the piano faculty at the Korean National University of Arts. The 49-year-old artist has taught many budding pianists like Son Yeol-eum, 2nd prize winner at the 14th InternationalAug 5, 2011By Do Je-hae
Cellist explores unique Korean soundsBy Lee Hyo-won PYEONGCHANG, Gangwon Province ― The last time cellist Koh Bong-ihn was at the Great Mountains International Music Festival & School (GMMFS), the famed Juilliard professor Aldo Parisot said the young man should become reputed as an interpreter of works by Korean composers. Seven years down the road the 26-year-old seems to be realizing the elder cellist’s advice. He has since then played Isang Yun’s cello concerto in both North and South Korea and has experimented with cross-continental sounds as part of Yo Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble. On Friday, Koh introduced the local audience to a riveting piece by Korean composer Younghi Pagh-Paan, who is reputed as “the next Isang Yun” in Europe. “When Professor Parisot told me I should specialize in works by Korean composers I was not completely thrilled, because I thought that meant limiting my artistic scope and repertoire. But now I am extremely grateful and I hope to set an example,” said Koh. “I wish more Koreans can step up to set an example. That is why I want to perform more works by Korean composers, particularlAug 2, 2011
Pianist Son gets homecoming at Great Mountains Music FestTchaikovsky winner concerned about Koreans’ obsession with competitions By Lee Hyo-won PYEONGCHANG, Gangwon Province — Son Yeol-eum has emerged as the young talent of the hour, as the webcast of her winning performance at the recent Moscow Tchaikovsky Competition was watched by millions around the world, including the 25-year-old pianist’s own idol, the violinist Chung Kyung-wha. Her homecoming performances over the weekend as part of the Great Mountains International Music Festival & School (GMMFS) were some of the most talked about events of the season — particularly as the Wonju native performed to a full house in her hometown as part of the festival’s outreach program on Friday, before playing at Alpensia Hall, the main venue of GMMFS, on Saturday. Chung, the newly appointed co-director of GMMFS along with her cellist sister Myung-wha, was seen giving standing ovations after Son gave an inspired rendition of Mozart’s Concerto No. 23, K. 488, opposite the Sung Shi-yeon-led GMMFS Orchestra in the second concert. The young artist responded to the explosive apAug 1, 2011
Chung sisters perform for flood victimsBy Lee Hyo-won PYEONGCHANG, Gangwon Province — There is nothing quite as invisible, yet gripping, as music, and a chamber concert Friday tugged at listeners’ hearts with even more intensity as artists dedicated their music to flood victims. “We dedicate this song to victims of the flooding and their families. Our hearts go out to them,” said violinist Chung Kyung-wha, who normally only communicates through her instrument onstage. The newly appointed co-director of the Great Mountains International Music Festival & School (GMMFS) appeared onstage with her cellist sister and fellow festival director Myung-wha, in matching “hanbok-inspired” dresses by Lee Young-hee. The fiendishly talented American pianist Kevin Kenner joined them for an intimate session of Brahms. The two sisters, who became famous with their brother Myung-whun as the Chung Trio, appeared in a chamber performance for the first time in six years together. As the concert was a highlight program not only at the festival itself but one of the most anticipated events of the season in the Korean classical mJul 31, 2011
Girls’ Generation ― it’s the girls’ time!By Kwon Mee-yoo K-pop group Girls’ Generation rocked some 20,000, from children to their parents, from Koreans to overseas fans, at their “2011 Girls’ Generation Tour”at Gymnastics Stadium, Olympic Park in Seoul, Sunday. The nine girls gave a powerful performance, offering 32 songs in three hours. The seats were filled with “samchon,” or “uncle fans” and followers from across the globe. As there were more males than at any other concerts, the sounds of the crowd’s shouts were relatively low but their spirits were higher than ever. The crowd waved pink glo-sticks and chanted “so-nyeo-si-dae,” Girls’ Generation in Korean, as the nine members emerged from a lamp-shaped structure. They sat in a perfect line, gazing into the audience. They opened the concert with “Genie” — wearing white lacy jackets, shorts and knee high boots, instantly taking the stage by storm with their powerful choreography. They continued with “You-aholic,” “Mr. Taxi” and “I’m in Love with the Hero” from their Japanese album. The girls even sang “Mr. Taxi” in Korean, for which the lyrics were wriJul 26, 2011By Kwon Mee-yoo
Europe’s feted Korean composer getting Asian premiere‘Universal appeal of individuality, Korean-ness secret to success’ By Lee Hyo-won The husband is always the last to know, and it took Korea more than three decades to invite one of its own artists who has been making waves in the European music scene. Younghi Pagh Paan will see the Asian premiere of her winning composition “Ta-Ryoung VI” at the Great Mountains Music Festival and School (GMMFS) in Daegwallyeong, Gangwon Province, Thursday. “It is an honor to shed light on the work of Younghi Pagh Pa-an, who is considered one of the most esteemed contemporary composers alongside Isang Yun in Germany and other parts of Europe but is not well known in Korea,” said Chung Myung-wha, co-director of the music festival. GMMFS kicked off Sunday under the theme of “Illumination” and continues until Aug. 13. Pagh attended Seoul National University before winning a scholarship to study in Germany. She adopted the pen name “Pa an” meaning “thinking composer” in 1977, just before winning a breakthrough first prize at the Boswil International Composition Competition. The Swiss eveJul 25, 2011
Europe’s feted Korean composer getting Asian premiere‘Universal appeal of individuality, Korean-ness secret to success’ By Lee Hyo-won The husband is always the last to know, and it took Korea more than three decades to invite one of its own artists who has been making waves in the European music scene. Younghi Pagh Paan will see the Asian premiere of her winning composition “Ta-Ryoung VI” at the Great Mountains Music Festival and School (GMMFS) in Daegwallyeong, Gangwon Province, Thursday. “It is an honor to shed light on the work of Younghi Pagh Pa-an, who is considered one of the most esteemed contemporary composers alongside Isang Yun in Germany and other parts of Europe but is not well known in Korea,” said Chung Myung-wha, co-director of the music festival. GMMFS kicked off Sunday under the theme of “Illumination” and continues until Aug. 13. Pagh attended Seoul National University before winning a scholarship to study in Germany. She adopted the pen name “Pa an” meaning “thinking composer” in 1977, just before winning a breakthrough first prize at the Boswil International Composition Competition. The Swiss event Jul 25, 2011