K-pop

French House by Dimitri

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter French electronic artist Dimitri will liven up Seoul's party scene with his unique brand of house music, Saturday. Described as the ``French Ambassador of house music,'' Dimitri will play at Under Lounge in Hongdae, Saturday. His music has been used in ad campaigns for fashion houses Chanel, Jean Paul Gautlier and Yves Saint Laurent. He has also worked on remixes for artists such as Bjork, the Cardigans, James Brown, New Order and Quincy Jones. The stylish Dimitri is one of the first French house DJs to gain attention in international music scene. He knew he wanted to be a DJ when saw a hip-hop show for the first time in the mid-1980s. ``Before CDs existed, there were DJs scratching vinyl records and making some kind of musical noises with them. This was a life changing moment and I instantly wanted to do the same and become a DJ,'' he told The Korea Times, in an e-mail interview. Dimitri grew up listening to a lot of classical music, which helped developed his ear for music. He describes his musical style as primarily disco, b

Fundraising Concert to Help Taean

By Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter Charity takes on a melodious form with a special concert to raise money for the nation's worst-ever oil spill last month in Taean, South Chungcheong Province. Conductor Chung Myung-whun will lead the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra at 5 p.m., Jan. 30 at the Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul. ``I'd like to help, but all I know is music,'' said Chung, who proposed the fundraising event while on holiday in Hawaii. The maestro had organized concerts to raise environmental awareness in 1995, and expressed concern about the recent disaster. The arts center will open its concert hall earlier than scheduled for the occasion, and Chung as well as host Jin Yang-hye and members of the orchestra will perform for free. The Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business has promised to donate 150 million won. Eight hundred seats will be open to the general public free of charge. A donation box will be placed in the lobby of the concert hall for contributions. All proceeds will go to victims of the oil spill. The program will feature Mahler's Symphony

Vienna Boys Choir Spread Love Thru Music

By Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter The angelic voices of the Vienna Boys Choir will echo across Korea as they tour six cities, beginning with Seoul at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, Friday and Saturday. Before embarking on their cross-county tour, the choristers visited a local welfare center Tuesday to deliver a melodious New Year's message. To make its 12th visit to Korea extra special, the choir decided to visit low-income single mothers and their children at the ``Youngnak Female-Headed Families' Home'' in northern Seoul. Well before the concert was due to begin, the small prayer room was packed with some 80 people ― children from the home and other welfare centers, their mothers and local residents. ``The Vienna Boys Choir is coming,'' said one excited little boy. ``I heard they're super famous,'' said another. Schubert and Haydn themselves sang in the 500-year-old Austrian choir, and Mozart conducted the boys every morning for mass. Beethoven also worked with the choir, and composers including Wagner, Listz and Johann Strauss wrote music for them. Som

Album Reviews

Paik Byung-dong 'Byung-dong Paik & Hwaum Chamber' Sony BMG For the past 50 years, Paik Byung-dong had been at the forefront of contemporary classical music in Korea. A disciple of the world-renowned Isang Yun (1917-1995), the 71-year-old composer opened a new musical horizon with his sharp intuition and warm lyricism. In 2006, Paik had presented his works from the 1980s to his most recent creations through recitals and was named ``Artist of the Year.'' In his new album, Hwaum Chamber Orchestra brings to life five pieces that poeticize Paik the artist and the individual. Paik explains that in ``Yeolmok'' (1982), string instruments harmonize to create a heavy, drooping sound that evokes muddy waters passing by yeolmok, or the neck of the rapids, while the three movements of ``Trilogy'' (2006) paint of a portrait of his past, present and future. - LEE HYO-WON Kate Royal Debut Album Kate Royal & Academy of St. Martin in the Fields EMI Classics Lyric soprano Kate Royal captivated Britain through operas and recitals and finally brings a debut album that captures her

Joy of Strings Marks 10th Anniversary

By Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter Joy of Strings, a group of young string musicians led by internationally renowned violinist Lee Sung-joo, celebrates its 10th anniversary with a special performance Friday at Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in northern Seoul. The chamber group was launched in 1997 by Korea National University of Arts and Lee, one of the star professors. Lee is recognized as a ``first rate violinist'' (New York Times_ with `` impeccable technique'' (Il Gazzentina, Venice), and while planning a student-teacher concert, she decided to take the stage with all of her students instead of just a couple of her young violinists. Joy of Strings was thus born, with Lee as its music director (Joy also happens to be Lee's English name). The surprisingly enthusiastic response led to a string of performance opportunities, and the chamber group began making a name for itself in the classical musical scene. The group soon took the world stage and took part in prominent music festivals across Korea, the United States and Germany. But it wasn't always easy. Not too lo

Harry Connick to Go on Stage

By Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter This year, many music lovers might be elated with the big rush of high-profile musicians such as Celine Dion and Bjork performing here. Now, American jazz musician Harry Connick Jr. is joining the rush to perform in Seoul on March 13, 10 years after he first held a concert here. As one of the most popular jazz musicians, Connick gained popularity for his memorable numbers in film ``When Harry Met Sally'' (1989), starring Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal. The soundtrack consists of several standards, including ``It Had to Be You,'' ``Let's Call the Whole Thing Off'' and ``Don't Get Around Much More.'' Also, ``A Wink and a Smile'' from ``Sleepless in Seattle,'' another romantic film, might be a good reminder of his music. Connick won three prizes at the Grammy Awards for Best Jazz Male Vocal Performance for his songs on the soundtrack of ``When Harry Met Sally'' and ``We Are in Love'' in 1990 and 1991 respectively, and Best Traditional Pop Album with ``Songs I Heard'' in 2002. Not only an acclaimed musician, Connick is also a well-rounded

Young stars

Album Reviews

Celine Dion `A New Day… Live in Las Vegas' SonyBMG The double-DVD set is all about the extravagant shows by world renowned diva Celine Dion, who is coming to Korea March 18-19. It includes her sold-out live theatrical show at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas directed by Franco Dragone. The show ended Dec. 15 after a five-year run starting from 2003. The special package is offered in nine different languages, including Korean and English, along with the behind-the-scene meetings with her fans and interviews. The set presents her all-time hit numbers such as ``A New Day Has Come,'' ``The Power of Love,'' ``Because You Loved Me'' and ``My Heart Will Go On.'' -CHUNG AH-YOUNG Voices 8 Josh Groban & Others Universal Music The eighth of the crossover compilation series ``Voices'' is a rare mix of the best from a variety of genres. Seventeen of the most unforgettable singers of our time sing beloved songs from operas, pop music and musicals: Andrew Lloyd Webber's ``Pie Jesu'' by the young artist Charlotte Church, Celine Dion's ``My Heart Will Go On'' sung

Album Reviews

Eros Ramazzotti `E2' SonyBMG This is an assorted collection of Italian singer/songwriter Eros Ramazzotti's hit songs commemorating the 25th anniversary of his debut. The two-CD album consists of 14 hit songs including ``Non Siamo Soli,'' a duet song with Ricky Martin. The album also carries four new songs including ``Ci Parliamo Da Grandi'' composed and produced by renowned musician Guy Chambers with impressive melodic lines based on a slow tempo. ``Dove Si Nascondono Gli Angeli'' and ``Il Tempo Tra Di Noi'' are typical Ramazzotti styles, featuring dramatic and exotic canzone rhythms. Also, Ramazzotti turns ``L'Aurora'' into a delightful party song and also retouches various rock numbers including ``Dove C'E'Musica'' and ``Taxi Story.'' -Chung Ah-young Abba `Number Ones' Universal This album is a rare chance to hear Swedish pop band Abba's best hit songs carefully selected on two CDs and a DVD. It consists of 30 hit numbers such as ``Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!'' ``Mamma Mia,'' ``Super Trouper'' and ``I Do, I Do, I Do.'' It also includes music videos of 19 numbe

Celebrate 2007 Finale in Classic Style

By Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter They say all's well that ends well. With less than a week until 2008, here are several classical concerts to wrap up 2007 on a positive ― and melodious ― note. All ticket reservations are available at www.ticketlink.co.kr (1588-7890) and www.interpark.com (1544-1555). Year-End Concerts Brahms Series: Maestro Chung Myung-whun and the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra offer the last ― but not least ― edition of the Brahms Special Orchestra Series, Thursday at the Seoul Arts Center. The highlight of the fifth serial performance dedicated to Johannes Brahm (1833-1897) is the appearance of Brazil's celebrated pianist Nelson Freire. The 63-year-old was personally sponsored by the Brazilian president to study in Vienna at the age of 10, and has since appeared in major music capitals with renowned musicians and ensembles. Having won Gramophone's 2007 Record of the Year Award for his recording of Brahms Piano Concerto Nos. 1 and 2 with Decca, he joins Korea's oldest classical ensemble to give life to the second concerto. The philharmonic group will