Album reviewsJesus Loves Babies 'Jesus Loves Babies' (Universal Music Korea) For many new parents, a growing emphasis has been put on prenatal education. But forget the foreign-language tapes, as Universal Music Group's ``Jesus Loves Babies'' provides a new twist to prenatal education: religion. Fifteen instrumental hymns arranged by Conrad Wong and Kong Fai present soothing melodies for all ages. From acoustic guitar and piano, to more quirky xylophone and flute pieces, they keep this album lively and fun. Accompanied with a 36-page booklet with lyrics in both English and Korean, the album reinterprets such classics as ``Amazing Grace,'' ``Praise Ye the Lord, the Almighty,'' and ``He's Got the Whole World in His Hand.'' / Ines Min Cypress Hill 'Rise Up' (Capitol Records) The legendary Cypress Hill returns with their first album in six years ― in a career that spans two decades ― and their debut release on Snoop Dogg's Priority Records. The move to the new label and four years of work by the Latino hip-hop group has resulted in a strong comeback that recalls the edge oMay 4, 2010
Enjoy groovy tunes at Seoul Jazz FestBy Han Sang-hee Staff reporter Groove to jazz tunes at the fourth Seoul Jazz Festival running from May 11 to 15. The festival is in its fourth year, and continues to offer Seoulites sophisticated melodies by top artists from both here and abroad. The event will be held at two different venues ― the Grand Theater at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in central Seoul and the Olympic Hall at Olympic Park, southern Seoul. The festival begins with ``Lyrical & Romantic Night’’ on May 11, with singer-songwriter and film music producer Jung Jae-hyung and Dutch singer-songwriter Wouter Hamel performing. The two artists will not only play their signature music, but also introduce some new tunes. Jung, who is planning to release his new album soon, will return to the stage to present his new numbers prior to their official release. According to organizers, the 38-year-old singer is expected to deliver beautiful tunes featuring love, life and sorrow. Hamel, who visited Korea for the first time last year, is expected to wow fans once more with his romantic tunes May 4, 2010
Pianist Yundi gets closer to fans, ChopinBy Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter You can’t get any more intimate than this. Yundi, formerly known as Yundi Li, winner of the 14th Frederic Chopin Piano Competition, has decided to go on a first name basis with fans. ``I like to hear people call me Yundi, because that way I feel closer to them. I will always represent the Li family. I just want to be closer to my fans. My families, friends all call me Yundi,’’ the 27-year-old told The Korea Times in a recent email interview. Korean fans will be able to approach the Chinese pianist at an even closer range at a recital in November, featuring his signature repertoire of Chopin. ``I think Chopin is the closest composer for me. He has an emotional heart, his music is very touching; he is a hero and a friend to me,’’ he said. When he first heard Chopin at age 9, he listened to recordings every night before going to sleep. ``I think he is the best composer for piano, and he focused his whole life on just composing for piano. He is a poet of the piano.’’ Yundi has several Chopin albums under his belt, but he offers something morMay 4, 2010
Arirang TV to present global K-pop showBy Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter English broadcaster Arirang TV has a new music show ``The M-Wave'' that will hopefully satisfy those searching for a bit more K-Pop. The show will air every Sunday at 6 p.m., and be broadcast in more than 180 countries, introducing new groups and tracks from the local music scene, while featuring some of the most popular bands. Hosted by girl group f(x)'s Krystal and Cheondoong from MBLAQ, the show had its first shoot last week, and it was evident the two newcomers were apprehensive hosting such a big program. The two stood on a high platform clutching cue sheets in their hands and nervously memorizing their lines. ``This is the M-Wave!'' they shouted to the camera with big smiles. After a couple of attempts, the ``guy with rhythm'' and the ``girl with style'' finally finished their first take. ``I'm so glad to be hosting a show with Cheondoong, and we will both do our best to bring the best. It's been a while since I spoke in English for so long and I thought it would be awkward. But after a few takes, I think I got used to May 3, 2010
Int’l Vaccine Institute to host charity concertBy Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter The International Vaccine Institute (IVI) will host a charity concert for children at the Grand Theater, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul, on May 4. Titled the "IVI Classical Concert Benefit 2010," the concert aims to raise funds to support its research, development and deployment of vaccines to protect children from infectious diseases. The IVI, based in Korea, is the world´s only international organization devoted exclusively to the development and introduction of new and underutilized vaccines for people in developing countries, especially children. Renowned musicians such as soprano Kim Hyang-ran, mezzo soprano Kim Su-jung, tenor Ha Man-taek, baritones Woo Ju-ho and Baek Hyun-jin, bass Kim Min-suk, guitarist Jang Seung-ho and flamenco dancer Lola Jang will perform in the two hour-long program together with the Millennium Symphony Orchestra conducted by Seo Hee-tae and the World Vision Children's Choir. The concert comes a day before Children's Day on May 5, the Korean national holiday devoted to celebrating childhoodApr 30, 2010
Wave of Orchestras Hitting Korea in MayBy Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter A musical influx will make waves in the local arts scene next month, with simultaneous and back-to-back tours by premier orchestras. The fiery lineup includes seven world-class ensembles, with each offering as many as four performances. Such a concentration in tours by famous foreign orchestras is unprecedented, and it will be interesting to note which one will attract the largest audience. April 30-May 1 The Philadelphia Orchestra, one of the United States’ Big Five ensembles, will perform at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, downtown Seoul. Maestro Charles Dutoit will take the baton to showcase his signature repertoire of Berlioz, Ravel and Stravinsky. Friday’s program features Berlioz’s ``Roman Carnival’’ overture, Ravel’s ``La Valse’’ and Rachmaninov’s Symphonic Dances. Arabella Steinbacher, a rising young violinist supported by the one and only Anne-Sophie Mutter, will join the ensemble for Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto. On Saturday, the orchestra will offer Stravinsky’s ``Firebird’’ and ``Rite of Spring.’’ TicketsApr 28, 2010
Album ReviewsOriginal Motion Picture Soundtrack "Clash of the Titans" (Sony Music) Composer Ramin Djawadi _ who also composed the music for ``Iron Man'' (2008) ― brings together the orchestral and the bold in this soundtrack for a classic fantasy film remake. As the film finds its origins in Greek mythology, Djawadi finds his inspiration in pieces that combine otherworldly, siren-like choirs with strong, grounded tones from instruments such as the tuba. Fast-paced numbers such as ``Scorpiox'' delineate scenes of cragged cliffs concealed by shadows, while more haunting melodies are speckled with the twang of stringed instruments. The Iranian composer's skills lie in his ability to send chills up your spine with his imagery ― whether you see the film or not. -Ines Min New York Fish ``Forest of Truth" (Mnet) Artist Kim Yong-jun brings his ballads to the people with a new acoustic album that mixes both instrumental lullabies with sweet serenades (with accordion sounds and all in ``Fly Fish''). The 37-year-old retraces his youth in an album that lingers on a sensApr 27, 2010
Jose Cura Singing for Survival, LoveBy Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter Tales of artists starving for their beloved art are aplenty. Singing, for Jose Cura was a matter of survival first, however, and the affection came later. But initiatives seem to be of little consequence for the superstar tenor's palpable passion for music has put him on the world map. ``In Argentina in the 1980s, to start singing was a question of survival. Almost all orchestras and choirs were put on hold, and to conduct was an almost impossible task,'' Cura told The Korea Times in a recent email interview ahead of his concert here next month. Born in Rosario, Argentina in 1962, Cura was originally trained as an orchestral conductor, and only started singing in his late 20s. ``When I discovered I could also sing, I started doing it just as a way of paying my family's maintenance. Eventually, singing become my career and I love it.'' The 47-year-old is reputed for his intensely original interpretation of operatic roles, which earned him the nickname as ``the fourth tenor'' after the Big Three (the late Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo anApr 25, 2010
Andrea Bocelli to Become One With AudienceBy Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter Andrea Bocelli needs little introduction. His concerts here always boast a full house and the tenor will return next month to relive what is expected to be another intense experience. ``An artist becomes one with the audience. … It is through the audience that I gain both strength and courage,’’ the 51-year-old told The Korea Times in a recent email interview. ``I have many friends in Korea, not only people I share personal connections with but members of the audience who discern my music and show an amazing reaction to it. I have very intense memories of Korea and I am happy to revisit Korea. In the Korea performance, I hope to give everything of myself and offer not only music but also limitless talent as a gift." In the concert, titled ``Incanto’’ (Enchant), Bocelli will captivate fans with an array of Italian classics. The program includes operatic arias such as ``Brindisi’’ from Verdi’s ``La Traviata’’ and famous ballads such as ``Canto Della Terra.’’ He will be joined by Delta Goodrem, the winner of the Best Female Artist prize at theApr 20, 2010
Paik Kun-woo Brings Classics to UlsanBy Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter Maestro pianist Paik Kun-woo will help spread the classical music scene, with a recital Thursday evening at Ulju Culture & Arts Center in Ulsan. As much as Ulsan is not a classical music hotspot in Korea, the performance is expected to be a special treat for local fans. It is part of the art center’s 2010 special concert series. The artist, who has been hailed as ``the poet of the piano,’’ will appropriately play pieces by ``the elder poet’’ Chopin, in time for the 200th anniversary of his birth. Pieces to be played are piano recitalists’ favorites, Variations on Mozart’s ``La ci darem la mano,’’ Op. 2 and Andante Spianato and Grand Polonaise, Op. 22. Also included in the program are Ravel’s ``Jeux d’Eau,’’ a masterpiece from the French composer’s early period requiring technical virtuosity and precision, and Sonatine for Piano, Op. 40, which is noted for its colorful harmony and tones. The evening will wrap up with Brahms’ Variations on a Theme by Handel, Op. 24. Paik gained international prominence after winning the 1967 Naumburg anApr 20, 2010