Fun, Didactic Concerts Beckon ChildrenBy Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter Summer vacation is in full swing, and families with students and children should get ready to mark off dates in their August calendars ― this month the Seoul art scene presents a host of music events that offer entertainment with an educational twist. Tailored for Students Nowon Culture Art Center, northern Seoul, offers a series of diverse musical programs dubbed ``edu-concerts'' for adolescents throughout the entire month, ranging from classical to folk, jazz and world music. In ``Music Box of Vienna'' (Wednesday at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.), a group of mice will introduce the young audience to Vienna, Austria, the Classical and Early Romantic Ages and the great classical musicians that defined them ― namely Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Haydn and Johann Strauss II. Performances of works by these composers will be accompanied by videos and performances such as mime and magic shows. The KBS Traditional Music Orchestra (7:30 p.m., Aug. 29) will mix tradition with modernity. Children will be able to hear various songs ranging from movie Aug 9, 2009
Album ReviewsDaughtry `Leave This Town' (SonyBMG) American Idol finalist Chris Daughtry proves his debut album was no fluke, with his band's new album, ``Leave This Town,'' topping the Billboard charts once again. Daughtry's sophomore effort offers more of the solid rock music featured in their first album. The band collaborated with country star Vince Gill on ``Tennessee Line," and Nickleback's Chad Kroeger on ``No Surprise." The album is full of clean and very mainstream rock that should please many, but perhaps bore those who have heard it all before. ― Cathy Rose A. Garcia Various Artists `Festival Generation: Night' (Universal Music) Festival Generation (www.festivalgeneration.com) offers music festival favorites like Travis' ``Closer,'' Oasis' ``Wonderwall,'' MGMT's ``A Time to Pretend,'' The Crystal Method's ``Cherry Twist'' and Fat Boy Slim's ``Right Here, Right Now.'' The album is packaged with a simple, fun guide to music festivals around the world, including Glastonbury, Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza. There are some curious choices, like Black Eyed Peas' `Aug 4, 2009
Cellist Jian Wang’s Sojourn From Mao to Mozart and BeyondBy Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter YONGPYEONG ―White, in all its stark simplicity, is the presence of all visible colors and frequencies of light. Cellist Jian Wang's music is marked by such white luminosity, a dizzying intensity and purity that shines over a kaleidoscopic range of shades and forms. ``It was like light in darkness, something very beautiful,'' the musician told The Korea Times, Friday, about what music meant to him as a child in post-Cultural Revolution China. ``When I was young I felt out of control with my life,'' said the 41-year-old. His parents had to live separately, due to state-designated work, and he spent many days missing his mother. ``But with the cello I felt I could at least get to it. Sometimes I could make something very pretty, when I felt everything around me was so ugly ― the people were poor, the apartment was so ugly. ``A philosopher once said that with great music even the most humble can feel divine. Even ordinary young kids start playing and their spirit comes out, they feel a sense of dignity that makes them feel they are somebody, thaAug 4, 2009
Placebo Wants Fans to Wear White at ConcertBy Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporte British modern rock band Placebo wants fans to wear white at their upcoming concert in Seoul. ``We urge all fans to wear white! There is too much black in our audiences,'' bassist Stefan Olsdal said in an email interview. Fans will hopefully heed Olsdal’s words when Placebo hits the stage at the Olympic Hall, Olympic Park, southern Seoul, Aug. 5. ``It will be our second time, and we are quite excited! It will be a rock show with some tracks from the new album and selections from previous Placebo albums. I feel much more of a sense of purpose now with the new album and line up,'' vocalist and guitarist Brian Molko said. Placebo recently released their sixth album, ``Battle For The Sun,'' which topped charts in Europe. It has been described as a new beginning for the band, which Olsdal attributed to Placebo becoming more open to exploring new sounds. ``Sonically, we wanted to make something bigger and more colorful than before. We used timeless-sounding instruments like pianos, brass instruments and strings rather than loops aAug 2, 2009
Music-Making Ignores Ages at Great Mountains FestBy Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter YONGPYEONG ― Though only in its sixth year, the Great Mountains Music Festival & School (GMMFS), underway through Aug. 14 in Yongpyeong, Gangwon Province, has emerged as hot spot for cross-generational musical inspiration. The opening ceremony Friday featured an eclectic performance of Villa-Lobos’ ``Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5.’’ The sheer sight of 19 cellos in concert was impressive to say the least, but what enthralled listeners was ultimately the kaleidoscopic effects of the musical synergy created by three generations of teacher-students ― ``The cello is not there, just music,’’ just as cellist Aldo Parisot told a student during a master class. The veteran musician helmed the cello concerto, which was written for him by his longtime friend in the 1940s. At age 87, the Brazilian gave way to thrilling excursions in a form that intensified opposite the sweeping, nostalgic vocals by soprano Hyunnah Yu. There was a palpable understanding among the cellists ― the Yale professor’s former and current students including internationally reAug 2, 2009
TVXQ Feuds With SM EntertainmentBy Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter Three of the five members of K-pop group TVXQ are creating a stir by taking legal action against their management agency. Hero, Micky and Xiah submitted Friday to the Seoul Central District Court an application for provisional disposition to terminate the validity of their contract with SM Entertainment, Yonhap News reported Saturday. Max and U-Know did not take part in the legal action. ``We confirmed that the three members' request for provisional disposition was submitted on the 31st,'' a staff member of SM Entertainment told Yonhap News. ``We are very surprised and regretful but are trying our best to understand the situation.'' Reports of dissension started circulating about a month ago. The three members were said to have conflicting interests with SM regarding their private business endeavors in the makeup industry. Max and U-Know, meanwhile, had been busy pursuing individual acting careers in TV soaps in addition to their work with the group. This raised concern among fans about the group's potential break up. ``This is a typical proAug 2, 2009
Korean Ensembles in Belgian FestBy Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter Two leading local groups, the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra and Ensemble TIMF, will participate in the International Brussels Music Festival (KlaraFestival) at the end of August. Opening its sixth year in the European Union capital, the young, thriving event brings together not only high-caliber classical artists, but jazz and electronic musicians as well. The Seoul Philharmonic, led by Maestro Chung Myung-whun, will perform Aug. 31 at Salle Henry le Boeuf, Palais des Beaux-Arts. This is the first time a South Korean symphony orchestra has been invited to a European festival. ``It will be a wonderful opportunity for the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra to establish its reputation overseas,'' said an ensemble spokesperson in a statement. The orchestra has often performed overseas in the past, including the United Nations Headquarters and Carnegie Hall in New York, but mainly for diplomatic purposes. The Belgian festival is special in that it is strictly a musical engagement, with the orchestra performing alongside other premier ensembles suJul 28, 2009
Album ReviewsMaxwell `BLACKsummers' Night' (SonyBMG) After disappearing from the spotlight over the last few years, Grammy nominated R&B singer Maxwell returns to the music scene with a new album, ``BLACKsummers' Night.'' It's a worthy follow-up to his highly-acclaimed 2001 album, ``Now.'' Maxwell doesn't go for the trendy electronic R&B that's been clogging the airwaves, instead he offers classic, soulful tunes with a live-band sound. His silky smooth vocals will no doubt make women swoon. The album is filled with gems such as ``Pretty Wings,'' ``Bad Habits,'' ``Love You'' and ``Fistful of Tears.'' ―Cathy Rose A. Garcia Katy Perry `One of the Boys' (Warner Korea) Katy Perry got everyone's attention with ``I Kissed a Girl,'' the first single from her album "One of the Boys," not just for its catchy beat but for the controversial lyrics coming from the daughter of a preacher. The song perched atop the Billboard charts for seven weeks last year. The singer-songwriter infused a lot of energy in pop-punk songs like ``Ur So Gay'' and ``Hot n Cold.'' Perry worked with prJul 28, 2009
Singer Lenka Brings Pop Music to PentaportBy Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Indie rock groups will dominate the Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival this weekend, but up-and-coming Australian singer Lenka will bring her brand of fun pop music to lighten things up. Lenka has been attracting attention for her debut album ``The Show,'' and perky, cheerful songs that have been featured on U.S. shows like ``Ugly Betty,'' ``90210'' and ``Grey's Anatomy.'' In an email interview with The Korea Times, Lenka said she loved having her songs appear on her favorite television shows. ``I love it! Especially `Ugly Betty' because I'm a huge fan. Having been an actress, I really get a kick out of my music being used to enhance the emotions of a scene,'' she said. The pretty 30-year old singer used to be an actress in TV and film back in Australia, and was also the host of a children's morning program Cheez TV. She was also a member of electronic-rock band Decoder Ring, appearing on two of their albums. ``I was an actress all through school and for a few years afterwards, and I loved it, but I had an urge to do sometJul 22, 2009
More Than Coffee is OfferedBy Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter Coffee franchises have been offering more than delicious coffee ― everything from cakes to waffles ― and Starbucks is planning to continue with music. The global coffee chain and music group Universal Music Korea installed listening booths and sales booths in several branches around Seoul, offering customers the chance to listen and even purchase albums. ``We started our book campaign a few years ago, where visitors can read books from the mini bookshelves installed in the stores, and we thought it was time for something else. We want our customers to have a cultural experience while drinking our coffee,'' Joyce Park, Starbucks general manager of public affairs, told The Korea Times at a press conference announcing the albums sales Tuesday at the Mugyo-dong branch, northern Seoul. Selling music has become the norm in other Starbucks branches around the world, and it took time for local branches to join in because of legal regulations regarding food and sanitation. But revisions in the regulations gave Starbucks the green light to sell aJul 22, 2009