Album reviewsOriginal Motion Picture Sound Track `StreetDance' (Universal Music Korea) ``StreetDance'' is the latest to join the undying trend of films about street-level dance/drum-offs. The U.K. import is set to be released in theaters here June 17, following the OST, in both 2D and 3D. The first half of the album is plagued with remixes with songs like Vitamin C's "Graduation," the Nutcracker and even Britney Spears, a la one-man wonder Girl Talk, though far less smooth and way less hip. However, the song choices seem fitting for a film that is made to be predictably unoriginal, but still manages to get heads bobbing and emotions wrapped in theatrical drama. Briton trio N-Dubz contributes to the soundtrack, as well as Chipmunk, Cheryl Cole and Lightbulb Thieves. _ Ines Min Bon Jovi `Commemorative World Tour Collection' (Universal Music Korea) Bon Jovi needs no introduction. The 27 year-old American rock band has been garnering thousands of fans since their eponymous debut album in 1984, and their latest worldwide Circle Tour will see them perform 135 shows iJun 15, 2010
Soprano Sumi Jo storms across 12 cities in JapanBy Lee Hyo-won Staff reporter International opera star Sumi Jo is dazzling fans all over Japan with a 12-city tour through June 24. The diva’s tour in Japan kicked off June 3 in Sapporo in time for the release of her new Deutsche Grammophon album ``In Concert,’’ which features popular operatic arias accompanied by the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra. The project is particularly making headlines for the participation of Tomomi Nishimoto, a Japanese female conductor who has a strong fan base in the rather conservative Japanese classical music scene. Japanese fans are traditionally known for preferring instrumental performances over vocal ones and so local concert organizers are surprised that tickets for Jo’s tour are selling fast and concerts are full house performances, said Jo’s agency in Korea SMI Entertainment. ``This tour was possible because Sumi Jo has a wide fan base in Japan, which, means more than individual success _ it has paved the path for young Korean artists to shine on the international stage,’’ said Cho Young-joon, head of SMI Entertainment. JapaJun 13, 2010
Girls’ Generation to debut in JapanBy Han Sang-hee Staff reporter Korean girl group Girls' Generation is finally making their official debut in Japan. The group's agency SM Entertainment announced Friday that the nine members were leaving their local fans for the time being to "start a new journey." ``The girls are planning to introduce themselves to Japanese fans through a showcase held at the Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo, Japan, on Aug. 25,'' the agency said through a press release. The venue can house more than 10,000 people, and the agency added that the girls were preparing an exciting show for not only Japanese fans, but also the Japanese press, music labels and agencies. Along with the showcase, the group will also release a debut single with Nayutawave Records, a branch of Universal Music. The label works with numerous top Japanese artists including Kiseki and Greeen. Girls' Generation is the only Korean artist on the label. ``Thanks to the group's high popularity in Asia, the band has been receiving numerous requests from Japanese music labels. We hope the band and Nayutawave Records will Jun 11, 2010
Wonder Girls begins US tourBy Han Sang-hee Staff reporter The Wonder Girls made a successful start to its American tour in Washington D.C. last Friday. The concert was a sell-out and fans were on their feet from start to finish as the girls performed their hit songs, according to the band's agency JYP Entertainment Wednesday. ``We were so nervous, but when we heard the crowd cheering and supporting us we could gain strength and finish the concert without making any big mistakes. We'll continue the tour with the love and support from our friends in mind. We thank everyone,'' the girls were quoted by the agency after the show. The group offered ``I Wanna'' and ``Good Bye'' from their fourth album ``2 Different Tears'' and also sang some of their favorite pop numbers, including ``Don't Cha'' by the Pussycat Dolls. The crowd shouted out the members' names as the group continued the show with songs ``So Hot'' and ``This Time.'' The girls sang ``This Time'' in English, just for the concert. Similar to their local show last year, the members showed off their talents on individual stages as well. Jun 9, 2010
Hancock to bring world closer to musicBy Han Sang-hee Staff reporter The world gets smaller every day through innovative tools such as the Internet, but this doesn't automatically mean people are more open and eager to accept one another's culture. That's why we need artists and projects that can help people get together and form a sense of unity. The initiative for jazz pianist and multiple Grammy Award winner Herbie Hancock's new album ``The Imagine Project'' was just that: to ``celebrate the similarities and differences of all the various cultures in the world and worship the true human spirit.'' In an email interview with The Korea Times, the 69-year-old musician said one of the purposes of the album was to become a passageway to peace. ``Music is very powerful. We tend to choose music whenever we are going through an important day. It helps us remember those special days and places in our lives. That's why I try to inspire people through the lyrics. Through lyrics, people obtain hope for the future, and further learn the need to build a globalized future for our children and our children's children,Jun 9, 2010
Album reviewsOriginal Motion Picture Soundtrack 'Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time' (Universal Music) Some soundtracks are made to stand on their own, fantastic in both theatrical and musical regards, and then there are those simply made to blend in with the film. This is of the latter breed. Composer Harry Gregson-Williams (Golden Globe nominee for the first "Chronicles of Narnia" film) brings the audience a soundtrack that's as manufactured as the Jerry Bruckheimer-produced, Hollywood blockbuster it was made to accompany. The 19-track-long OST falls back repeatedly on the same theme: heavy brass and Middle-Eastern influences build up to crash into a hushed, languid, wind-instrument melody. And the film, panned for its all-Caucasian cast, ends no better musically with the unfitting, uninspired original by Alanis Morisette. / Ines Min Celine Dion 'Taking Chances World Tour Live' (Sony Music Korea) Legend Celine Dion's year-long tour from 2008 to 2009 saw her perform in 25 countries on five continents. Revisiting past hits such as "The Power of Love" and newer hits fromJun 8, 2010
Violinist Kim So-ock delves into BeethovenBy Lee Hyo-won Staff reporter Beethoven’s Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61, the only work by the composer written for the solo violin and orchestra, is not as frequently played compared to its wide popularity. It was most recently staged here during the Seoul Arts Center’s Orchestra Festival in April and fans can look forward to a soulful rendition Thursday at the same venue by London’s “wunderkind” (Newsquest-Herald & Times) Kim So-ock and the Kim Dae-jin-led Suwon Philharmonic Orchestra. Beethoven is perhaps best known for stormy, tragic works marked by red-hot passion, and the concerto was written in 1806 around the same time he wrote the “Appassionata” Piano Sonata, Op. 57 and the “Eroica” Symphony, Op. 55. But this was a period of intense creative activity when the composer demonstrated varying styles and forms, and the violin piece displays a lyricism governed by harmony and balance of scale. “It’s not so much about the brilliance or virtuosic capacity of the violin like the Mendelssohn or Tchaikovsky concertos. It shows the violinist’s musicianship and more souJun 8, 2010
Musicians get busy as Schumann turns 200By Lee Hyo-won Staff reporter Tuesday marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of the composer Robert Schumann. A talented pianist, writer and composer, he was born in 1810 in Zwickau, Saxony and has created some of the most representative works of German Romanticism. The romantic character of his oeuvre was further highlighted through his marriage and creative partnership with the piano prodigy Clara Wiek-Schumann. He married Clara after a long and embittered legal battle with his piano instructor and father-in-law Friedrich Wiek. Clara is also known for composing and moreover premiering many of her husband’s piano pieces. Last month the Schumann Chamber Music Festival kicked off at Hoam Art Hall and the festivity continues with a lineup of other special events around Seoul. On Wednesday, the country’s foremost classical music radio program KBS Classic FM will host a concert titled ``Robert & Clara Schumann, and Brahms’’ at KBS Hall, Yeouido. The second of the radio program’s concert series dedicated to German Romanticism, the show will feature Clara’s rarely heaJun 7, 2010
Art shines after sunset at Sejong Center in JuneBy Lee Hyo-won Staff reporter Everyone is invited to a relay of art performances lined up both outside and inside the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, downtown Seoul, for this month. The events will not only feature top artists but also be more than affordable for everyone. Beginning Monday evening through June 27, live music will fill the breezy summer air beneath the star-lit sky. A special outdoor stage will be set up by the center, welcoming passersby to stop and enjoy various programs ranging from classics to musicals and jazz. Fans can enjoy a mini night at the opera this week. Insiem Philharmonic Orchestra, which received the Art Award for the orchestra section of the 2nd Korea Opera Awards, will present music from staple repertoires: Verdi's ``La Traviata'' (Monday), Puccini's ``Tosca'' (Tuesday), Bizet's ``Carmen'' (Wednesday) Mascagni's ``Cavalleria Rusticana'' (Thursday) and Verdi's ``Rigoletto'' (Friday). On Saturday, Drum Cat will offer a rhythmic percussion show. There are no shows on Sundays. During the third week of June, things will jazz up a bit.Jun 6, 2010
Album reviewsVarious artists 'Sex and the City 2' original motion picture soundtrack (Sony Music) The film every woman has been waiting for is accompanied by a soundtrack that features artists from Liza Minnelli to Cee Lo, in an obvious effort to cover all bases and span the generations. Alicia Keys' remake of Blondie's "Rapture" ― which manages to integrate the TV show's theme song ― starts off the release with strong dance beats and the singer's ever-rich vocals. A modern take on the classic "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered" and Ricki-Lee's "Can't Touch It," are also well-executed numbers that are entertaining, if not awe-inspiring. But the contrived, cutesy "I Am Woman," sung by the four actresses themselves falls flat, and even Minnelli's version of "Single Ladies" is more irritating than fun. ― Ines Min Judas Priest 'British Steel 30th Anniversary Special Ed.' (Sony Music) The iconic Judas Priest relives its glory days with the release of the 30-year anniversary edition of "British Steel," an influential album in the genre of heavy metal. Kicking off theJun 1, 2010