THE KOREA SOCIETY

is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) organization with individual and corporate members that is dedicated solely to the promotion of greater awareness, understanding, and cooperation between the people of the United States and Korea. Learn more about us here.

Performing Arts

Global Korea: Juilliard@TKS

Thursday, October 10, 2013 | 6:00 PM
Cello virtuosa Jiyoung Lee performs Bach’s Cello Suite No. 6 in D Major, Crumb’s Sonata for Solo Cello, and Sibelius’ Theme and Variations. Lee, 25, began cello at age eleven and within five years was performing as a soloist with the Seoul Symphony Orchestra. Winner of the prestigious Korea Times Cello Competition and Ewha Press Competition, Lee performed with the Seoul National University Philharmonic Orchestra and recently won the Juilliard… Read More
Korean sinawi music originally accompanied propitiatory rites presided over by a female shaman, or mudang. The word sinawi is also synonymous with musical improvisation based on various rhythmic and melodic devices--the most important characteristic of this genre. This group of sinawi performed by five performers and varying instrumentation evokes the otherworldly sonic space of the shamanistic spirit realm. Dr. Ju-Yong Ha, a renowned ethnomusicologist, will provide historical context for the… Read More
The Korea Society is very pleased to present the traditional music and dance of the Chosŏn Kingdom courtesan, performed by Han TeRra, an extraordinary kayagŭm (12-string zither) player from Korea. Dr. Robert Provine, a renowned ethnomusicologist, will provide historical context for her performances, shedding light on the life and artistic world of a kisaeng. During the half millennium reign of the Chosŏn Kingdom in Korea (1392-1910), there was a class… Read More
The Korea Society proudly presents renowned p’ansori singer, Kim Sumi, in a rare New York performance of Korean traditional opera. P’ansori is a storytelling genre traditionally performed by a solo vocalist and a drummer playing a puk (barrel drum). The entire dramatic and narrative progression of the story rests on the singer who acts out all the characters, describes the scenes, and provides cultural and historical references. Kim Sumi will… Read More
Share in a musical global journey with virtuoso Mina Um, who took first at the Seventh Annual New York Music Competition and performed after at Carnegie Hall. She appeared as a soloist with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, Boston Festival Orchestra and Farmington Valley Symphony. As a member of the Juilliard Orchestra, she performed again at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. Having appeared on ABC and in New York Magazine, Ms.… Read More
Celebrate Korea as a center of excellence in the classical arts with a short concert by virtuosa Jia Kim, who performs Bach’s Cello Suite No. 3 in C Major and Cassado’s Suite for Cello Solo. Kim began cello at eleven in Korea, where she took first in the Korean Music Association Competition, National Symphony Orchestra Competition, and Young Musician Foundation’s National Debut Concerto Competition. She has performed at Carnegie Hall,… Read More
The Korea Society proudly presents Barame Soop (Forest, Wind and Rain) performed by the Sonagi Project. One of the leading percussion groups in Korea, the Sonagi Project consists of five musicians led by Chang Jea Hyo. The group has created modern, original music on the basis of Korean traditional rhythms and chants. Barame Soop concerts are built around changgo (two-headed, hourglass shaped drums), ching (gongs), and p'ansori (narrative, story-telling folk… Read More

The Music of North Korea: Pathos and Passion

Thursday, August 2, 2012 | 6:30 PM
The music of rare and exceptional artistic expression from North Korea will be showcased at the Korea Society as part of its Korean Traditional Music Series. Eun Sun Jung, an award-winning and talented young kayagŭm (12 and 25 string zither) artist from Seoul, Korea, presents some of the folk music of North Korea, selected for its vibrant folk music style and its contemporary interpretation of older traditions. This includes the well-known folk… Read More

Blue and White Concert

Thursday, March 22, 2012 | 7:00 PM
Master percussionist Pak Vongku leads a recital of Korean buk and Japanese stringed koto, marrying the melodies of ancient Korea, Japan and India in a thoughtful zen/son-inspired performance for Asia Week New York 2012. Pak appeared recently for The Korea Society as part of its Seattle outreach program and has received rave reviews in New York City and nationally. Enjoy drummer Pak (janggu) and string-and-flute accompaniests Masayo Isigure (koto) and Steve Gorn (bansuri). The Contemplative… Read More
Born in Seoul in 1994, Bokyung Byun began playing at six, and by her teen years had won competitions held by the Korea Guitar Association, the Embassy of Spain, and the Music Association of Korea. She went on to take top prizes at the Vienna Forum Guitar International and the Guitar Foundation of America (GFA). Her special Asia Week program includes Capricho Árabe (Francisco Tárrega); Fuge and Allegro from BWV998… Read More
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