Enjoy a meditative performance of changgo, a traditional hour-glass drum, adapted for p’ungnyu, the classical ensemble music of Korean nobility and central theme of The Korea Society’s 2011 traditional music series. P’ungnyu also refers to an elevated state of leisure in which one can better appreciate poetry, music, and companionship. Percussionist Lee Chun-seung performs a solo Suljanggu, followed by a Samulnori and Binari featuring three additional percussion instruments, the kkwaengguari,… Read More

Minji Park explores late autumn's grasp and the onset of winter through a program of traditional six-string kǒmun’go. The evening’s selections pay tribute to the late season and highlight the masculine, deep sounds of one of Korea’s oldest native instruments. A winner at the 2010 World Korean Traditional Performing Arts Competition in New York, Minji Park will perform from the traditional Korean court and folk music repertoire. Wednesday, November 17,… Read More

Untitled document As the world turns to Korea for the November G20 Summit, The Korea Society hosts a musical salute reflecting the journey to Seoul: royal city, global city. Returning to The Korea Society stage, young kayagŭm great Rami Seo, who has played with Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble, explores world rhythms. Seo “journeys” from New York’s jazzy 57th Street to the hills of Andalusia, from Israel to the Mongol… Read More

The Korea Society welcomes young gifted greats from New York’s famed Juilliard School in its 2010-2011 Young Visions, Young Voices series. Classical violinist Brian Bak opens the series with a solo performance of Bach’s Violin Sonata No. 2 in A Minor, Ysaye’s Violin Sonata No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 27, and Paganini’s Caprice No. 24. Bak is recipient of the C.V. Starr and Samsung Scholarships and studies with Professor… Read More

Untitled document The movements of Korea’s classical dance tradition reflect the essential rhythms of life in Korea. The exuberant yott’aryongch’um (Taffy Peddler Dance) walks audiences through the bustling marketplaces of Korea, while meditative, deeply symbolic performances such as the hwahyonmu (Lotus Dance) and sungmu (Monk’s Dance) explore the country’s deep Buddhist roots. From the gentle, gliding grace of the opening chaech’onmu (Choson Court Dance) to the thunderous drumming of the… Read More

The Korea Society kicks off a rich autumn season of performing arts with percussionist Vongku Pak on traditional drum, or changgu, Eddy Jo Martinez on guitar, and Jorge Mesa on bass. This scintillating trio will perform a sizzling hour of rhythms, beats, and blues to mark this fall’s G20 leaders summit in Seoul. Come celebrate Korea—a crossroads of music and meeting place for world leaders—with this soulful summit salute. Pak… Read More

Untitled document "...It would speak to the seasons." Join us for a rich evening of time circling through the elegant sounds of Rami Seo's kayagǔm. Powerful at times, passive at others, Ms. Seo's stringed wonder takes us from spring through summer, to autumn's passing and wintry embrace...and back again to spring. Relax amid the contemplative sounds and relish the rich history of the kayagǔm.Thursday, May 20, 20106:15 PM Check-in6:30 PM… Read More

On September 30, 2009, Minji Kim, traditional percussionist, dancer, and a Republic of Korea 2009 Korean Traditional Artist-in-Residence, performed an evening of folk music on the changgo, an hourglass drum at the heart of traditional Korean music. The night's program began with an introduction by Dr. Ju-Yong Ha, composer and ethnomusicologist, who also provided commentary before each of the three musical selections: a kayagum sanjo, a duet for haegum and… Read More

Untitled document Performed by Chae Hyang Soon Dance Company Bring the rhythm and vitality of Korea's classical dance tradition to your performing arts venue with Chae Hyang Soon Dance Company. The Korea Society is now accepting bookings for the group's fall 2010 U.S. tour.Handed down from generation to generation, the movements of Korea's classical dance tradition reflect the essential rhythms of life in Korea. The exuberant yŏtt’aryŏngch’um (Taffy Peddler Dance)… Read More

Komun'go performance and master class with Heo Yoon-JeongKomun'go Performer and Composer Thursday, February 28, 2008 Legend has it that when Korean courtiers first played the seven-string komun'go over 1,500 years ago, a black crane appeared and danced to its music. A similar, if less literal magic was in the air as critically acclaimed performer and composer Heo Yoon-Jeong performed a program of traditional komun'go arrangements blended with contemporary sounds and… Read More