Operas Fete Puccins 150th Anniv.By Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter This year celebrates the 150th anniversary of the birth of Giacammo Puccini, the Italian composer who gave the world pieces that have become staples of the standard operatic repertoire. For Korea, 2008 also marks the 60th year since opera was first introduced here in 1948. One of Puccini's classics, ``Turandot,'' was recently staged here by the Beijing Opera Group, and other major production companies will also pay homage to the maestro. Puccini was born into a musical family in Lucca in 1858. He grew up singing in choirs and went on to create masterpieces. He died in 1924 but his works, which reappear time and time again onstage all over the world, live on. Viva Puccini ``Beautiful melodies, narrative and music go hand in hand in Puccini's dramatic composition technique. That moves modern people,'' explained Jang Su-dong, artistic director of the Seoul Opera Ensemble. ``Puccini always stressed the importance of harmonizing with the audience and not being too far ahead. So he was sometimes criticized as a pop composer. ``But his workMay 12, 2008
Conductor Seikyo Kim Bridges Old, NewLee Hyo-won Staff Reporter This is the 10th in a series of interviews with the next generation of classical musicians ― ED Given Seikyo Kim's well-established reputation, it is perhaps misleading to include the 38-year-old conductor in this pool of ``next generation'' artists alongside budding teenage violinists. As Vladimir Jurowski ― another ``young, star conductor'' like Kim ― said during a recent tour here, musicality and age are indeed two different things. But like Jurowski said, music does in fact get ``more interesting as (musicians) become older.'' Considering Kim's biologically young age, classical music expects more from one of today ― and tomorrow's ― most talented conductors, particularly since his music is all about bridging the old and new. ``You're in the best spot to hear the best music in the world,'' Kim told The Korea Times about the beauty of conducting. ``I always say, keep the old music alive and perform the work of the masters in the way they want it. We tend to play everything in the mode of the 20th century, which is wrong,'' he said. KimMay 6, 2008
CCM Group to Lift Hopes With ConcertBy Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter Compared to the United States where contemporary Christian music (CCM) is considered a genre in the music industry, Korea has yet to open its doors to the trend. Among those devoted people who wish to change this is POS, a CCM group and Sohyang, its lead singer. POS, meaning ``light'' in Greek, is holding a concert June 7 at Olympic Hall, a fairly popular venue among singers here. But in an interview with The Korea Times, Sohyang and Zion, fellow member and leader of the group, said they were not used to big performances in Korea and that it has been a long time since they had an interview with the local press. ``I'm not really interested in fame or money. I cannot imagine the burden of becoming famous; the responsibility as not only a singer but also a devoted Christian,'' the 30-year-old lead singer laughed. Having dreamt of doing many things including being a cartoonist and an interpreter, Sohyang started singing with POS when she was in high school. Performing at churches and religious events, she eventually became famous among chuMay 6, 2008
Album ReviewsMadonna `Hard Candy' Warner Bros. This album is an unbelievable collection of Madonna, the ageless songstress, showing off her powerful up-tempo beats in collaboration with other pop icons such as Timbaland, Justin Timberlake and Pharrell Williams. The album proves her strong presence in the pop scene with hip-hop tinged dance tracks. Must-listen tracks are ``Candy Shop'' (dance); ``Give It 2 Me'' (pop/dance); ``Miles Away'' (mid-tempo - reminiscent of the ``Ray of Light'' album); ``She's Not Me''(pop/R&B); ``Beat Goes On''(R&B); ``Devil Wouldn't Recognize You''(a ballad with a beat); ``Voices'' (mid-tempo and vintage Madonna). The album is a mix of flavors that imbue something different for each song for the listeners. -Chung Ah-young May 6, 2008
LArc~en~Ciel Shares Secret to SuccessFour-Member Japanese Rock Band to Visit Seoul May 17 By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Popular Japanese rock band L'Arc~en~Ciel is celebrating their 17th year anniversary this year, with a world tour that brings them back to Seoul on May 17. Seventeen years after they were formed in Osaka, L'Arc~en~Ciel continues to thrill audience with their evolving rock music and exciting live performances. The Korea Times recently conducted an e-mail interview with L'Arc~en~Ciel, composed of vocalist and guitarist hyde, bassist tetsu, guitarist ken and drummer yukihiro. L'Arc~en~Ciel may look like intense rock stars on stage, but members show their humorous side as they talk about their current world tour, what they love about Korean fans and why they think wearing no underwear is the secret to their success. The Korea Times: When L'Arc~en~Ciel was formed (in 1991), did you ever predict it will become one of the most successful bands in and out of Japan? tetsu: We never could have predicted we would be successful outside of Japan. However, we knew we would not onMay 5, 2008
Argerich, Chung to Harmonize in Korea, JapanBy Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter Two titans of classical music ― pianist Martha Argerich and maestro conductor Chung Myung-whun ― will dazzle fans with a concert Wednesday evening at the Seoul Arts Center. This marks the start of the 10th Beppu Argerich Music Festival annually held in Japan. After the Seoul show, a series of concerts will take place across Oita and Beppu and finally Tokyo May 21. With the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, the world-renowned pianist will perform her most illustrative repertoire, Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 3. Noted as the best of the Russian composer's five piano concertos, it was completed in 1921 shortly after the Russian Revolution. Evoking dynamic Russian folk music, it features an extravagant, technically demanding piano solo that harmonizes well with the grand orchestra. The Argentinean pianist and South Korean conductor have performed several times together for this particular piece overseas, including feted 1998 concerts in Rome and the Beppu Argerich Festival. In 1999, Argerich's recording of the work with maestro Charles Dutoit won herMay 4, 2008
Countertenor Straddles East, WestThis is the ninth in a series of interviews with the next generation of classical musicians ― ED. By Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter A tall, broad-shouldered man takes center stage and delivers an operatic aria in an angelic, ``womanly'' voice. He is a countertenor, a falsetto vocalist that sings in the range of a female contralto or mezzo-soprano. ``People clearly see a man standing up there and it's shocking to hear a woman's voice. But I'm creating a fantasy for them, and people wonder how my real (speaking) voice sounds,'' countertenor David Dong Qyu Lee told The Korea Times, speaking in a smooth, masculine voice. The 30-year-old was in Seoul earlier this month for his first recital here in two years. The concert at the LG Arts Center was packed, and the highlight ― other than his stellar performances ― was when he finally spoke to the audience toward the end of the show. ``Yes, everyone, I sound like a normal man,'' he said, drawing much laughter. ``I also stick out more because I look like this and sound like that, and with my funny name as well ― `oh that countertenApr 29, 2008
Album ReviewsMariah Carey `E=MC²' Universal Three years after releasing the phenomenally successful ``Emancipation of Mimi,'' pop diva Mariah Carey is back with a new album ``E=MC².'' Carey's 11th studio album is once again a winning mix of R&B, hip-hop and pop tracks, which will surely burn up the charts in the next few months. Carey produced and wrote the first single ``Touch My Body,'' which attracted a lot of attention for its sexy music video. Some of the songs have a laid-back R&B vibe like ``I'm That Chick'' and ``I'll be Lovin' U Long Time.'' Carey is still at her best when she does slow tracks like ``Love Story'' and ``Bye Bye.'' She collaborates with hip-hop's hottest artists like T-Pain for ``Migrate,'' Damian Marley for ``Cruise Control'' and Young Jeezy for ``Side Effects.'' Top producers Jermaine Dupri and Will I Am also participated on the album. -Cathy Rose A. Garcia Apr 29, 2008
Chamber Music Galore in SeoulBy Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter From May 2 to 13, Seoul will turn into a playground for chamber musicians and classical music buffs with the Third Seoul Spring Festival of Chamber Music. A total of 30 soloists, including the festival's artistic director and violinist, Kang Dong-suk, and 7 ensembles, will give 14 performances in various venues around the city. ``This year, we tried our best to attract wider public attention. While focusing on chamber music, we will also feature various performances incorporating dances and such,'' festival director Kim Hyung-kook told reporters at a press conference earlier this month. ``And as much as the festival takes place in Seoul, we tried to incorporate more Asian elements,'' he said. As such, the opening concert, May 2, will premiere Kang Un-su's ``Forever Young.'' Commissioned by the festival, the chamber music piece was inspired by the life of poet Yoon Dong-joo and pastor Kang Won-yong. Other featured works are those that composers like Rossini wrote in their youth, such as Sonate a Quattro. The concert is titled ``Youth,'' in tune Apr 23, 2008
Album ReviewsAnne Murray `Duets-Friends and Legends' EMI Known for her soothing and comfortable vocals, Anne Murray has teamed up with 17 distinguished musicians to celebrate her 40-year music career. Her music is based on country music represented by her trademark song, ``Snowbird,'' but she gave a successful performance in ``You Needed Me,'' a pop and modern ballad. The album is a rare collection in which various singers from rising stars Shania Twain and Emmylou Harris to veteran artists Sarah Brightman, Celine Dion, Amy Grant and Carole King worked together. The album is one of Murray's most recognized and celebrated hits, which are fundamental and universal. -Chung Ah-young Apr 22, 2008