World percussionists bring unique beatBy Chung Ah-young Staff reporter From bongos, congas, timpani, vibraphones, and glockenspiels to the tam-tam, the sounds of various percussion instruments are resonating at the first International Percussion Festival in Seoul. World-class percussionists ― six soloists and five groups from six countries ― are convening at the Korea National University of Arts through July 30 to show the past, present and future of percussion. Soloists Steve Houghton, Frederic Macarez, Eric Sammut, Klaus Tresselt, Marta Klimasara and Kim Eun-hye are taking part in the event. Houghton is a world-renowned jazz drummer and percussionist who initially received acclaim at the age of 20.He has more than 100 recordings to his credit as a participating artist.As a classical percussionist, the musician has performed with the Boston Pops and Philadelphia Pops as well as the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. He has performed as a soloist with numerous orchestras and wind ensembles throughout the world. Specializing in the timpani, Macarez is one of the most prolific percussionists of his generation. AsJul 27, 2010
Enjoy sun, music at Summer Week & TBy Han Sang-hee Staff reporter What would summer be if it were not for the sun and the beach along with some great music? Enjoy all three at Summer Week & T 2010, a music festival especially for those eager to brush off the heat and have a memorable summer weekend. While other music events are either held at parks (Pentaport Rock Festival) or islands (Jarasum Jazz Festival), the beach event will be held at Naksan Beach, Yangyang, Gangwon Province on Aug. 6 and 7, the first at this location with some of the hippest artists in the world invited to make this a unique opportunity. SK Telecom, the company behind the project, explained that the event follows the theme of the Full Moon Party held at Ko Phangan, Thailand, and the famous day-long festival held at the Spanish resort island Ibiza. Aside from the venue, the two headliners will also have local fans excited: Kanye West and Lupe Fiasco. Jul 27, 2010
Album reviewsProfessor Green `Alive Till I’m Dead’ (Warner Music Korea) This East Londoner has been making waves for the past several years, with references to Eminem and winning prizes worth 50,000 pounds ($78,000) from MySpace. But aside from the hype, Professor Green’s debut album promises a mix of dramatic rock, pop, dance and rap. The convincingly entertaining release borrows tunes from INXS and combines vocals with the likes of Lily Allen, resulting in a familiar but edgy package. Green, from the land of grime, updates hits like ``Need You Tonight’’ to become a fully modern number. In fact, the entire record is a true product of the times (including a coverlet riddled with poor spelling and, is that Shereen Shabana’s name spelled wrong?), which falls flat at times but ultimately leaves you with a danced-out feeling of satisfaction and the epic ``Goodnight.’’ ― Ines Min 3OH!3 `Streets of Gold’ (Warner Music Korea) Disclaimer: Bands with elementary punctuation in their name are automatically knocked down a point. That being said, the two behind this electro-hop group ― Jul 27, 2010
Party to take over Busan for night of DJs and danceBy Ines Min Staff reporter The heat has taken its toll across the world, and it’s that time of year when people start deserting the city centers for cooler respites. In France, Paris empties, giving way to the beckoning countryside; Americans take their vacations at swimming holes across the continent; Koreans head to the beach and party. This Saturday a massive line-up of international DJs will be making their way to the Haeundae Grand Hotel, Busan, for the 2010 Extreme Urban Night. Party organizers Blue Spirit ― which has helped bring in such acts as Benny Benassi and Armin van Buuren and sponsors the Global Gathering music fest ― brings together Japanese and local acts for the group’s first major event outside of Seoul. Fantastic Plastic Machine (FPM), Verbal, Revolver 69, DJ Kawasaki and a special performance by Coco Star will comprise the line-up. FPM, real name Tomoyaki Tanaka, is a Japanese musician who has taken the world with his shibuya-kei and house numbers. Verbal is formerly of the iconic hip-hop group m-flo and now a part of the Teriyaki Boyz, and the two Jul 27, 2010
United Nations of Music:Korean War in memoriamBy Lee Hyo-won Staff reporter There’s nothing quite as challenging as putting together an orchestral performance ― 100 or so people playing different instruments at different times can easily create cacophonic concoctions. In an international project ensemble, the universal language of music may speak pluralistically, but verbal communication is still vital and much is bound to get lost in translation. Teamwork and inspiration can ultimately bring people, and melodies, together. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War (1950-53), and musicians from 21 U.N. member nations that supported South Korea throughout the conflict will gather ― to fete the meaning of peace and harmony through music. The World Orchestra concert will be held Tuesday evening at Seoul Arts Center featuring a thematic program: Prokofiev’s ``Ode to the End of the War’’ and the upbeat William Tell overture, which conjures up the image of the victorious Swiss army triumphantly riding back home, as well as the lilting 4th Adagietto movement of Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 ``ResurrectiJul 26, 2010
Musicians gather for Korea’s AspenBy Lee Hyo-won Staff reporter Top musicians from near and far will gather in PyeongChang, Gangwon Province for some exciting music-making and learning. The Great Mountains International Music Festival & School (GMMFS) has grown into a summer getaway spot among classical music aficionados, and this ``Aspen Festival of Korea’’ has kicked off its seventh edition last Friday. Artists such as violinist Chung Kyung-wha, who made headlines by resurfacing from a five-year hiatus earlier this year, is participating in the festival as a member of the faculty. Her elder sister, Myung-wha, who had been a regular in the event, has also returned, along with other cello masters including Aldo Parisot and Jian Wang. They will give master classes to students registered in the music school leg of the event. Sejong Soloists, the internationall renowned-conductor-less chamber ensemble that has been the face of the festival since its inaugural edition, are also due to take the stage for the next three weeks. Also not to miss is the rising 22-year-old pianist Lise de la Salle. These musiJul 25, 2010
Despite drizzle, Pentaport rocks up IncheonBy Han Sang-hee Staff reporter The three-day Pentaport Rock Festival came to an end Sunday, and despite some cracks here and there, it proved to have true potential to become one of Korea’s biggest rock music events. Held at Incheon Dream Park, the five-year-old event attracted rock fans from near and far, with more than 70 bands from Korea, Japan, Taiwan, England and the United States playing, plus various promotional events and numerous food stands. The three-day festival rocked Incheon, and promised another interesting event next year. The music The first day kicked off with a bit of a drizzle. The weather forecast said it would rain, and it did a bit from time to time, but it was not enough to scare away music lovers who were fully prepared with rubber boots, umbrellas and rain coats. The official event started at 12:30 p.m., but there were not many visitors at that time, making it hard to create the atmosphere the festival event organizers hoped for. The Dream Stage, which was located right next to the main stage under a large white tent, offered music bJul 25, 2010
Rocky Horror Show to offer unique funBy Chung Ah-young Staff reporter The British musical “The Rocky Horror Show” is coming to town for the first time. The show is a global project co-produced by a British creative team, Australian TML Enterprises and Korean musical producer Show Dream Company. The musical is one of the most loved after the local rendition was first introduced in 2001 here with a star-studded cast of Oh Man-seok, Hong Ji-min and Lee Seon-gyun. But this is the first time for it to be performed in Korea by a foreign cast and produced by the original creative team. For the production, actors from various countries took part in auditions with script writer Richard O’Brien attending in July in Australia. British director Christopher Luscombe, choreographer Jenny Arnold and music director Simon Beck will collaborate in the production. London-based actor Juan Jackson has been cast in the role of Frank’n’Furter. Currently working in Britain, he has been praised as the “perfect Frank” by the script writer. Jackson also starred in the musical “Jekyll and Hyde” which was staged in Korea last year. Jul 20, 2010
US, Canadian indie duos hit SeoulBy Ines Min Staff reporter Seoul has seen an ever-growing tide of underground and indie bands since the 1990s. Now, with the help of local booking agents, international names have found their way here as well. A trio of duos including The Handsome Furs, Teengirl Fantasy and The Hood Internet, will be in the capital this July and August, paving the way for future indie rock bands traveling to Asia. The Handsome Furs ― comprised of Wolf Parade frontman Dan Boeckner and wife Alexei Perry ― toured Asia in 2009 with the release of their sophomore album ``Face Control,’’ but will be coming to Korea for the first time to perform. The intimate pair behind the music serves to translate their passion and fervor for life into their sound. The band, concocted spontaneously while traveling Scandinavia, saw Perry unveil her synth-skills for the first time during a show in Europe, while live sets are characterized by their all-out enthusiasm. While electronics dominate their main sound, Boeckner’s haunting voice ― made famous for its inclusion in the chorus-like, raw vocals oJul 20, 2010
Album reviewsT-Square `Time Travel’ (Sony Music Korea) Japan’s biggest names in jazz fusion, the three-decade-old T-Square, returns with their latest incarnation of smooth ballad-like melodies and quirky electronics. Starting strong with the dramatic, video game-like ``Fantastic Story’’ the quartet ― still with two original members Masahiro Andoh and Takeshi Ito ― lifts moods with scaling EWIs and guitar solos. The release escalates with the quick-paced, if not explosive, ``Ocean Express’’ before winding its way down into the conclusive ``MJ.’’ The group stays true to their original sound, including some slower tracks that ring with (what we’d now call) Kenny G-esque antiquity. Yet, with all that in mind, T-square still manages to pull off an endearing quality in their 36th (count ‘em) album. ― Ines Min The Hiatus `Anomaly’ (Sony Music Korea) The solo project of Takeshi Hosomi ― of Japanese rock group Ellegarden fame ― saw its new album released simultaneously with the debut record here earlier this month, in time for the band’s upcoming performance at the 2010 IncheJul 20, 2010