Yongjae ONeill Sings Through the ViolaBy Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter The artist smiles but the viola laments. Richard Yongjae O’Neill has built a reputation as a staunch ambassador for classical music here, moving fans with deeply sentimental melodies, and is now returning with his fifth solo album and a cross-country tour. ``Nore - Songs Without Words’’ (Deutsche Grammophon Korea) continues the poignant spirit of the violist’s second album, ``Lachrymae.’’ The 2006 recording went platinum, and the new album is also expected to pull at the heartstrings. The warm string instrument replaces the human voice in various pieces, which range from Catalonian folksongs to classical numbers by Mendelssohn. The viola weeps beautifully, melancholically to the piano in Ginastera’s ``Cancion Triste,’’ Guastavino’s ``La Rosa y el sauce’’ and Rachmaninov’s ``Vocalise,’’ among others. The recording process proved to be a very intimate experience, O’Neill told reporters in a press showcase last Thursday in Seoul, because it involved working solely with Germany-based pianist Christopher Park. They worked on the album overMar 1, 2010
Albums Celebrate Chopins 200th BirthdayBy Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter Two hundred years ago on this day, March 1, 1810, a baby boy was born in a small village in the Duchy of Warsaw. He would grow up to become a child piano prodigy and subsequently a prolific composer. "If you can't play, then you teach" has long been the opinion held in the music world. But Frederic Chopin, piano child prodigy extraordinaire, was an exception. After relocating to Paris due to the political climate, he led a quiet, comfortable life teaching and composing ― though not without whirlwind passion, which he famously shared with the iconic French writer Aurore Dupin, better known as George Sand. He died in Paris in 1849 due to poor health at the age of 39. But life is short and art is long, and to this day, works by this ``poet of the piano'' continue to be a staple musical repertoire, and various events are taking place around the world and hot albums are in stores to fete Chopin's 200th birthday. Around the world, various events are being held throughout the year to celebrate the bicentennial. In Seoul, Chopin specialist Yoon ChulFeb 28, 2010
Yu-na Marked Music Infects FansBy Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter A quick glance at any random street block in Korea would be enough to feel the omnipresent iconic status of Kim Yu-na, whose face adorns everything from smoothie drinks and cosmetics store signs to cell phone devices. Moreover, the figure skating champion has made a splash in the rather waning record industry, particularly the classical music genre. The entire country seems to be captivated by the 19-year-old, and ``the Kim Yu-na experience'' is not complete without the thematic scores that accompany her graceful twists and turns and striking facial expression on ice. This season she has showcased contemporary classics. On Wednesday, Kim, donning an edgy black sparkly suit and smoky eye make-up, ``shot down'' the audience, in seductive 007-style, to Norman's `` James Bond Theme.'' Friday, all eyes were glued to the screen as she glided in rhythm to the third movement of Gershwin's Piano Concerto in F-major, with her electric blue outfit matching the jazzy piece. These songs, which have more ``attitude'' and catchy beats, marked a sharp tFeb 26, 2010
Kimie Kim Offers Infinite Loop of Street JazzBy Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Jazz is not quite as popular in Korea as pop or rock music. But jazz musician Kimie Kim hopes to build a small community of jazz musicians together to bring street jazz to a wider audience. Kim has formed jazz fusion band Infinite Loop, inspired by British acid jazz group Incognito, which has a rotating line-up of musicians and vocalists. Infinite Loop released its first album, ``Across the Ocean,'' last December on an independent record label. ``I once talked to the leader of Incognito, who said he liked the idea that he can call other players to join the band. So for this project, I called three other players to form a band and play together. It's flexible. I can invite anyone to join the band for the next project. ... I want to have a community of musicians who can play together,'' he told The Korea Times, in an interview at his studio in Hongdae, Monday. Kim, a guitarist, is the bandleader for Infinite Loop. He invited long-time friend and drummer Tagg, noted pianist Lee No-kyung and bassist Yoon Du-young to join the groupFeb 24, 2010
Rose Jang to Offer Timeless Popera TunesBy Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter Video-sharing Web site YouTube has long become a barometer for measuring public reception in arts and entertainment, and some may be surprised to learn that it was not Celine Dion or Sarah Brightman, but Korean-American vocalist Rose Jang who topped rankings for the best rendition of timeless Broadway numbers. In 2008, she reached No. 1 in the Youtube charts for her silvery interpretation of ``Memory’’ from the musical ``Cats,’’ and her other crossover melodies continue to top various domestic and international music downloading sites such as Melon and Apple's iTunes. Away from cyberspace, Jang has graced some of the most prestigious events with her solo performances, including the inaugural ceremonies of President Lee Myung-bak and U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, and the 2006 FIFA World Cup Games. Fans will be able to hear Jang perform her signature musical numbers Wednesday evening in Seoul before before she continues on to perform in Shanghai, Beijing and New York. In addition to ``Memory,’’ the program will include beloved musicaFeb 23, 2010
Brian McKnight to Return in AprilBy Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter R&B singer Brian McKnight will return to Seoul to serenade fans with his romantic ballads such as ``One Last Cry," ``Back at One" and ``Shoulda Woulda Coulda'' in April. The ``McKnight at Night'' concert will be staged April 1 at the Jamsil Gymnasium, Jamsil, southern Seoul. McKnight is a favorite among Korean fans, having held concerts here in the past few years. The 40-year-old American singer-songwriter is known for his smooth voice and sophisticated R&B tunes. He has released 11 albums, of which seven have gone platinum, and has sold over 20 million copies around the world. McKnight can also play nine instruments, including the piano, guitar, drums, and tuba. In 1992, McKnight made his debut with a self-titled album, followed by ``I Remember You'' in 1995. ``Love Is,'' his duet with Vanessa L. Williams, became a hit and was nominated for Best Pop Collaboration at the 1994 Grammys. McKnight's solo breakthrough came with ``Anytime,'' released in 1997, selling over two million copies and resulting in a nomination for the GFeb 23, 2010
Album ReviewsSade `Soldier of Love' (SonyBMG) Sade makes a huge comeback with its first album of new work in 10 years. ``Soldier of Love'' is old-school R&B and jazz at its best, dominated by ballads and acoustic tracks about love. Lead singer and songwriter Sade Adu seduces listeners with her smoky vocals in this 10-track album, backed by a band that puts in a solid effort. The first single ``Soldier of Love'' lingers in your ears with its haunting beats, while ``Babyfather'' offers some reggae. ``Morning Bird'' is the standout track, with poetic lyrics set to a sparse piano and percussion melody. Overall, the album is beautiful in its simplicity. The band's minimalist approach appears to have been embraced by many, since the album topped the Billboard album charts during Valentine's Day weekend. / Cathy Rose A. Garcia Chicago `The Best of Chicago: 40th Anniversary Edition' (Warner Music Korea) Chicago celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2007, releasing a two-disc greatest hits album. However, it was only released in Korea earlier this month in time for Chicago's concFeb 23, 2010
Backstreet Boys Share Secrets to SuccessBy Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Boy bands are as popular as ever in Korea, with groups like 2PM, Big Bang, SuperJunior and TVXQ. But in the United States, the trend peaked in the late 1990s and early 2000s when Backstreet Boys (BSB), N'Sync and 98 Degrees sent millions of teenage girls swooning with their cute looks, mushy love songs and slick dance moves. While most of the boy bands have disbanded and been forgotten, Backstreet Boys has remained together, still making music and touring around the world. BSB members AJ McLean and Brian Littrell said the group has always remained focused on their music throughout the years. ``There were a lot of things going on but music was always our main focus. It is quite hard to survive in the music industry but we managed. We tried to stay focused for the past 17 years and understand each other, which made our bond stronger and that's our secret. We spend the best days of our lives together, there is no reason why we can't in the future," said McLean and Littrell in an email interview with The Korea Times. The groupFeb 22, 2010
Album ReviewsVampire Weekend `Contra' (Kang & Music) American indie band Vampire Weekend first grabbed listeners' attention with the irresistible ``A Punk'' from their self-titled debut in 2008. The band, whose members met while studying at Columbia University, have managed to avoid the sophomore slump with a clever and catchy new album, ``Contra.'' ``Contra,'' which debuted at number 1 on the Billboard album charts, has more of the band's indie pop-rock tunes, with a dash of hip-hop, African rhythms and electro music. ``Horchata'' (incidentally, a Mexican rice drink) sets the pace of the album with its easy charm, followed by the laidback ``White Sky.'' Vampire Weekend continues to impress with their witty lyrics and unique musical styling, particularly with the standout tracks ``California English,'' ``Diplomat's Son'' and ``I Think Ur a Contra.'' / Cathy Rose A. Garcia Feb 16, 2010
The Swell Season to Return in AprilBy Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, the Oscar-winning stars of the indie film ``Once,'' will be coming to Seoul for the third time in April. Hansard, Irglova and the rest of The Swell Season will be performing April 7, Olympic Indoor Hall, Olympic Park, southern Seoul. The Swell Season is a favorite among many Korean fans, who embraced their low-budget film and made it a hit in Korea. In ``Once,'' Hansard and Irglova played musicians who fall in love, and their on-screen chemistry carried on off-screen. A big part of the film's success was attributed to the music, mostly composed and written by Hansard. Hansard and Irglova's lovely duet ``Falling Slowly'' won the Academy Award for Best Song in 2008. The Swell Season finally released its long-awaited album ``Strict Joy,'' last fall. Hansard and Irglova had broken off their romantic relationship, but their musical partnership still continued. The album title was taken from ``Strict Care, Strict Joy," a poem by Irish writer James Stephens that Hansard had read. ```Strict JoFeb 16, 2010