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
Male Crooners Hold Spring ConcertsBy Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter Top Korean male ballad singers Lee Seung-chul, Sung Si-kyung, Kim Dong-ryul and Yurisangja are celebrating spring by holding concerts. Lee Seung-chul is one of Korea's favorite singers for his ballads and strong vocals. The title of his concert is ``The Time Machine'' and the 42-year-old plans to bring back songs and memories from the past and recreate some with electric techno sounds. Lee has participated in various drama soundtracks like those from the hit drama ``Firebird (2004),'' starring Eric from pop group Shinwha and the late Lee Eun-ju. The concert will be held May 23-24 at the War Memorial of Korea. For more visit www.interpark.com or call 1588-4430. Kim Dong-ryul is renowned for his soft and persuasive voice. Gentle as it may be, his songs have a power that draws the listener in. Kim released his new album, ``Monologue,'' last January, with plans of holding three concerts, ``Prologue I (Aramnuri Theater, April 30),'' ``Prologue II (Seongnam Arts Center, May 25),'' and ``Epilogue (Gymnastic Stadium, Olympic Park, June 14).'' Kim wiApr 22, 2008
British Singer James Blunt to Perform in Seoul SaturdayBy Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Everyone probably knows the worldwide hit ballad ``You're Beautiful.'' With the song's haunting melody and romantic lyrics, it is no wonder it's a staple at weddings. British singer-songwriter James Blunt didn't seem surprised the song became such a huge hit. ``I think it's something that everyone can relate to,'' he said, in an e-mail interview with The Korea Times. In 2004, Blunt released his debut album ``Back to Bedlam." The track ``You're Beautiful" hit number one in music charts in the United Kingdom, Europe, United States and Asia. He received five Grammy Award nominations in 2006, including Record of the Year, Best New Artist and Song of the Year. His mix of pop and folk rock resonated with fans around the world. His debut album sold over 11 million copies. Many of his songs were featured in television shows, films and commercials. Fans also can't get enough of Blunt's heartfelt lyrics. He said he often gets inspiration for writing songs from life and people he knows. ``When I write, I just mess around with musicalApr 22, 2008
Violinist Kym Min-jin Bridges Seoul, LondonThis is the eighth in a series of interviews with the next generation of classical musicians ― ED By Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter The color purple (no, not the Alice Walker novel) is the combination of two polar opposites, red and blue. The amethyst shade best describes the musicality of Korean-British violinist Kym Min-jin. To add to the 29-year-old's own words, perhaps purple personifies her bicultural identity as well. ``When I play Sarasate, I think of it as red,'' she told The Korea Times. After her critically acclaimed recording of a fiery ``Carmen Fantasie'' with the London Symphony Orchestra, Kym recently showed a different musical spectrum in ``Min Jin Kym: Beethoven'' (Sony Classical). ``Every nuance Beethoven writes reflects something you feel in life. There's a lot of suffering but it's not as simple as that. Inside it all you find tremendous peace and serenity,'' she said. In her recording, Kym's renditions of Beethoven's Violin Concerto and Sonata No. 7 remind you of a deep ocean blue. Red and blue, fire and ice, and Korean and English ― Kym is purple. SheApr 22, 2008
Hip-Hop Musicians to Gather at FestivalBy Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter World-class hip-hop musicians will perform together with local rappers and DJs at ``Sensation Festival 2008'' next month. For the upcoming festival, American hip-hop musician Nas who has a strong presence in the American hip-hop scene along with Jay-Z; DJ Premier ― a producer renowned for numerous hits; and Sugar Hill Gang acclaimed for its ``Rappers Delight'' ― the first hip-hop single to be a top ten hit, will groove the local music fans. According to the Sugarhigh Music, a local organizer, the festival is the first and largest hip-hop event ever held in Korea for its running time and its unique format. The festival will be held for more than 11 hours and offer snacks and beverages inside the festival hall during the dance party with music by the local top DJs. The audience will experience DJ-ing, play extreme games, and purchase various albums at the venues. The festival's headliner, Nas, who was born in 1973, made his debut with ``Illmatic'' in 1994, immediately shooting to stardom. His second album, ``It Was Written'' rankApr 21, 2008