Piano melodies ring out in Himalayas concert

Pianist Kim Karam plays the piano at the Thorung La pass _ at 5,416 meters _ the highest point on the Annapurna trekking course in the Himalayas. The concert was held to raise funds for victims of the Nepal quake in April. / Yonhap

By Kim Bo-eun

The melody of Korean folk song "Arirang" echoed out in the Himalayas, Wednesday, in a novel high-altitude fund-raising event.

Production agency "Piano & Ice-cream" hosted a piano concert with pianist Kim Karam to help Nepalese stricken by April’s earthquake.

The concert was held at Thorung La pass _ at 5,416 meters _ the highest point on the Annapurna trekking course.

It is the first time a concert has been held there, according to the agency. It is planning to submit the event to Guinness World Records as "the piano concert hosted at the highest altitude."

The agency had to take apart the piano it bought in Korea before sending it to Nepal. The piano, which weighed 353 kilograms, including the packaging, was carried to the concert site by 13 people.

Kim played several pieces, along with “Arirang,” such as Nepalese folk songs, "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star," "Nella Fantasia," and "Amazing Grace."

She had to wait between pieces to avoid the strong winds of the Himalayas. The concert started at 8 a.m. and ended at 2 p.m.

About 100 people, including trekkers from around the world, guides and residents watched the performance.

Kim donated her fee to the quake victims.

The agency is planning to travel to the Sahara Desert and other places to host charity concerts.