Michael Schenker to Perform in SeoulBy Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter German heavy metal rocker Michael Schenker reunited with the original members of his rock group Michael Schenker Group (MSG) to release a new album ``In the Midst of Beauty'' this year. The Michael Schenker Group returns to Seoul Aug. 31 with the ``Rock Will Never Die'' concert at Melon-AX Hall. A noted rock guitarist, Schenker was a founding member of MSG and Scorpions, and has also performed with UFO. At the age of 16, he made his debut with the Scorpions on their first album ``Lonesome Crow,'' alongside his older brother and guitarist Rudolf. He joined UFO as lead guitarist in 1974, but left the group in 1978. Schenker formed MSG in 1980, and released numerous hit albums but throughout the years, the line-up has changed several times. This year, the 53-year-old musician gathered MSG's original members and well-known musicians: vocalist Gary Barden, keyboardist Don Airey, drummer Simon Phillips and bassist Neil Murray for the new album, ``In the Midst of Beauty.'' In an e-mail interview with The Korea Times, Schenker talkeAug 25, 2008
Maestros Join Musicians of TomorrowBy Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter The transforming power of music is incontestable, and this is demonstrated by the dedication of world-renowned maestros to inspire young musicians. Conductor Chung Myung-whun who has long been invested in encouraging marginalized children with music, gives another charity concert with the Boystown Symphony Orchestra (BSO), while Vladimir Ashkenazy celebrates the 30th anniversary of the European Union Youth Orchestra (EUYO). Chung Family's Love for NK Children The Chung trio ― with pianist/conductor Myung-whun, cellist Myung-wha and Myung-whun's son Min ``replacing'' violinist Kyung-wha ― will join the Boystown Symphony Orchestra (BSO) for its 18th charity concert, Monday in Seoul and Tuesday in Busan. The Seoul National University Medical School Orchestra will join the group for tonight's performance at the National Museum of Korea. Proceeds will go to Okedongmu, a civil organization co-headed by Myung-whun dedicated to helping North and South Korean children, including the construction of a children's hospital due to start in October. ThAug 24, 2008
Omara Portuondo Returns to SeoulBy Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Cuban singer Omara Portuondo, diva of the legendary Buena Vista Social Club, will be coming back to Seoul in October for another concert. Portuondo will be performing on Oct. 3 at Concert Hall, Seoul Arts Center, as part of her ``Gracias'' Tour to promote her forthcoming album of the same name. Her career has spanned over 60 years, but the 78-year old singer shows no signs of slowing down. Portuondo has been to Seoul several times, singing both Korean and Cuban songs at her performances. Last year, she also performed at the Seoul Arts Center, while in 2005, she held a concert at Yonsei University. For this year's concert, Portuondo will perform with Harold Lopez Nussa on piano, Swami Jr. on guitar, Felipe Cabrera on double bass, Andres Coayo and Rodney Yllarza Barreto on percussion. Portuondo was born in Havana, Cuba in 1930. In 1945, Portuondo began her career as a 15-year old dancer at the Topicana Club in Havana. In 1952, he and her elder sister Haydee formed a singing group, Cuarteto D'Aida, with friends Elena Burke and Aug 19, 2008
Album ReviewsArashi Dream-A-Live SM Entertainment Popular Japanese group Arashi has released its eighth album in South Korea full of infectious pop and dance tracks like ``Move Your Body,'' ``Step and Go'' and ``My Answer.'' ``Happiness'' is the theme song for the Japanese drama ``The Story of Yamada Taro," which starred group members Kazunari Ninomiya and Sho Sakurai. A limited edition of ``Dream-A-Live'' includes an additional disc featuring solos by each of the five members. Satoshi Ohno does well with the R&B-infused ballad ``Take Me Faraway,'' while Sakurai shows off his rapping skills on ``Hip Pop Boogie.'' - Cathy Rose A. Garcia Aug 19, 2008
Child Prodigy Fathoms Korean Soul in MusicBy Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter YONGPYONG ― With the 5th International Great Mountains Music Festival & School (GMMFS) coming to a close this Friday after a four-week marathon of music making, the past weekend highlighted a series of stellar performances by renowned veteran artists as well as emerging talent. All eyes and ears were particularly directed toward the unveiling of the latest work Aug. 15 by 16-year-old composer extraordinaire Jay Greenberg. Liberation Day's long weekend traffic woes and the monsoon sprinkles were no hindrance as the press, classical music fans and students flocked to South Korea's foremost music event in Gangwon Province. Disappointed faces had to be turned away from ticket booths for the fully booked concert featuring some of the world's best Aug. 15. The audience held their breath as Deutsche Grammophon-recording cellist Jian Wang and charismatic pianist Plamena Magova opened the program with Rachmaninov's Cello Sonata in G minor, Op. 19. After intermission, concertgoers hurried back to their seats to catch the exquisite Endellion String Quartet oAug 17, 2008
Composer Serios New Endeavor With Viva VoceThis is the 19th in a series of interviews with the next generation of classical musicians -ED By Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter Renato Serio, celebrated Italian conductor, composer and orchestrator, has worked with artists such as Andrea Bocelli, Sarah Brightman and Josh Groban. His latest project has brought him to South Korea to embark on an all-new musical journey with four young singers of tomorrow, Viva Voce. ``I heard the song of the future,'' the 61-year-old said in an interview with The Korea Times about hearing Viva Voce for the first. The Korean music they sang time at a music festival last year in Rome struck a powerful chord for him, prompting him to meet the young artists and travel to Seoul to direct their first album. ``Korean songs have a very simple melody, but express all the emotions and meanings,'' he said. For their recording, the maestro presents two new works, details of which are not yet released. They are arranged in European style but are marked by the beautiful simplicity found in Korean melodies, said Serio. The members ― three tenors and one Aug 12, 2008
Avril Lavigne Returns in SeptemberBy Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Canadian pop star Avril Lavigne returns to Seoul Sept. 1, as part of her world tour. Fans can expect Lavigne to keep the energy high with pop-punk tunes like ``Girlfriend, ``Complicated" and ``Sk8er Boi" at the Melon-AX. Lavigne has already held sold-out concerts in Seoul over the past few years, but this will be her first concert since 2005. The 23-year-old singer has sold millions of albums around the world since she started her career. Lavigne was born in Belleville, Ontario, Canada in 1984. Her talent was apparent early on, with her singing with her mother aged two. When she was 14, she won a competition to sing with country singer Shania Twain in a concert. By the age of 16, she was signed by major record label Arista Records. In 2002, her first album ``Let Go" was released. It was a big success, thanks to hit songs like ``Complicated," ``Sk8er Boi" and ``I'm With You." The album sold 16 million copies worldwide. Lavigne was nominated for eight Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year for ``Complicated" and Best New ArAug 12, 2008
Jazz Musician Branton to Jazz Up Korean SongsBy Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter American jazz musician Ronn Branton will heat up the summer evening with jazz versions of classic Korean songs at his "Summer Night Jazz" concert Aug. 23 in Seoul. Branton and his band of young Korean jazz musicians will perform at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts. His repertoire consists of several Korean songs from the 1960s and 70s, including ``Mokpo Tears'' by Son Mok-in; ``Hometown Station'' by Im Chong-su; ``Beside the Flowerbed'' by Lee Bong-jo; ``Road'' by Oh Dong-seok; and ``Soyang River Woman'' by Lee Ho. Branton has worked with numerous Korean musicians since 2001, and is known for combining American jazz with Korean songs. He majored in jazz at DePaul University in Chicago and later worked as a professor at his alma mater. He then moved to Washington, D.C., where he became a leading figure in the city's jazz scene. Branton first came to Korea in 1998 with his Korean wife. He has taken an interest in the domestic jazz scene and seeks to make the genre more accessible to Koreans. His collaborations iAug 12, 2008
Album ReviewsVarious Artists Super Hero SonyBMG This summer, Olympic fever is spreading everywhere, even in pop music. ``Super Hero" is a compilation of inspiring songs that will surely uplift the hearts and spirits of Olympic athletes and fans alike. The album contains both new and old songs from John Mayer, Daughtry, Journey and Scorpions. Most of the tracks are ballads like ``On My Way Home'' by Clay Aiken, ``Something That I Already Know'' by Backstreet Boys, ``Say'' by John Mayer and ``Angel'' by Sarah McLachlan. Expect major airplay for tenor Mario Frangoulis' dramatic rendition of ``Here's to the Heroes.'' To pump up your enthusiasm for the Olympics, listen to dance songs like ``Make Some Noise'' by Krystal Meyers and ``Stamp Your Feet'' by Donna Summer. - Cathy Rose A. Garcia Aug 12, 2008
K-Pop Resounds at Beijing OlympicsBy Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter Over the weekend, Koreans may have noticed something a little bit too familiar in the moment following the announcement of the nation's first 2008 Olympic gold medals: Korean pop songs by Lee Hyo-ri and Girls' Generation echoed through stadiums in Beijing. Gold medallists, in addition to claiming the top prize, are granted rights to the ``stadium jukebox'' ― have their song of choice resound in the hall before the award ceremony. Swimmer Park Tae-hwan called for Girls' Generation's ``Girls' Generation'' and judoka Choi Min-ho requested Lee Hyo-ri's hit number ``10 Minutes.'' After securing his country's first Olympic swimming gold Sunday in the men's 400-meter freestyle round, the 19-year-old ``marine boy'' requested the debut piece by Girls' Generation. ``Park Tae-hwan and Girls' Generation once met at a charity event hosted by (Korean music channel) M.net,'' said the girl band's management SM Entertainment. ``Members of Girls' Generation were watching the swimming competition on TV and were surprised and amazed to hear their song. They werAug 11, 2008