Latest news with #SeoulMetropolitanTraditionalOrchestra
Korea Herald
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Teen composer Lee Hanurij reimagines Korean rhythm
18-year-old ventures into Korean traditional music with Seoul Metropolitan Traditional Orchestra Eighteen-year-old composer Hanurij Lee is set to unveil his most ambitious work yet: a 40-minute composition, more than twice the length of his previous longest piece, which ran 16 minutes. But it is not just the duration that marks new territory. This time, Lee, winner of the 2024 Bartok World Composition Competition, steps into the unfamiliar terrain of writing for a Korean traditional orchestra. 'I started wanting to try writing for a Korean traditional orchestra after hearing works by schoolmates around me who specialize in that field. I found the sounds really fascinating,' Lee said in an interview earlier this month. 'It's very different, but I also felt that I might be able to approach it in my own way,' he added. 'And that opportunity came sooner than I expected.' The opportunity came at the suggestion of Seoul Metropolitan Traditional Orchestra conductor Choi Soo-yeoul. Choi had said, 'To me, Korean traditional orchestra is a branch of contemporary music. It's a very special genre in that it allows us to express the present through ancient instruments.' When commissioning the work from Lee, Choi encouraged him to approach it freely, precisely because he had not studied Korean traditional music. The result is "Reframing Project: Part II — Rediscovering Jangdan." This SMTO series reexamines and reinterprets the uniqueness of Korean traditional orchestra through creative ideas and perspectives that reorganize, expand or combine it in new forms. The program poses a conceptual question: What if "jangdan," the traditional Korean rhythmic cycle, was reimagined as a language of flow, time and sensation? Lee's work, 'Unselected Ambient Loops 25-26,' was placed alongside Kim Hee-jo's Ensemble No. 3, a landmark composition by a pioneer of Korean orchestral music that explores the vitality and beauty of traditional rhythmic forms. According to Lee Seung-hweon, artistic director of the Seoul Metropolitan Traditional Orchestra, the pairing was intended to create a stark contrast and offer audiences a wide spectrum of choices and perspectives. In writing this piece, Hanurij Lee maintained the same mindset he has had since his early days. 'When I first started composing in elementary school, my teacher would always say, 'Write your music as if the best performer in the world will be playing it.' I think that's when my pieces started to become more difficult,' the composer said. To the members of the SMTO, this new work was unfamiliar and included many challenging techniques. 'It's natural for performers to complain about composers because of how difficult we make the music. But if you think about it another way, what may seem like a composer's overambition can actually push the boundaries of a performer's limits, and lead to new discoveries,' the artistic director said. Lee began his musical journey as a violinist at the age of 4. But his aspirations shifted dramatically in third grade after hearing the second movement of Scriabin's Piano Sonata No. 3. "I want to write music like that," he thought. In 2016, he enrolled in the Seoul Arts Center's Academy for the Gifted, marking his first formal step toward composition, and has remained immersed in classical music ever since. He currently studies at the Korea National University of Arts, also known as K-Arts. Lee's compositions have already begun to make their mark both in competitions and on the concert stage. His five-minute piece "...Round and velvety-smooth blend...," commissioned by celebrated pianist Lim Yunchan, served as the opening work for Lim's Goldberg Variations recital tour. In July, Lim and his teacher Sohn Min-soo will perform a special two-piano arrangement of Richard Strauss' Der Rosenkavalier Suite, adapted by Lee. On Thursday, the Seoul Metropolitan Traditional Orchestra appointed Lee and two other composers — Kim Hyun-seop and Lee Go-woon — as its first-ever composers-in-residence. Lee said he draws his greatest inspiration from other works, regardless of genre. 'Until 2023, I honestly had no interest in any other genres,' he admitted. 'But as I started working on these kinds of projects, I found that flashes of inspiration often came from outside classical music. I'd hear something and think, 'They're doing this so naturally,' and that really intrigued me. So I began listening widely, and those sounds have become a big source of ideas for me. Not in any structured way — it's more like they just appear, somehow.'
Korea Herald
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Teen composer Hanurij Lee reimagines Korean rhythm
18-year-old ventures into Korean traditional music with Seoul Metropolitan Traditional Orchestra Eighteen-year-old composer Hanurij Lee is set to unveil his most ambitious work yet: a 40-minute composition, more than twice the length of his previous longest piece, which ran 16 minutes. But it's not just the duration that marks new territory. This time, Lee, winner of the 2024 Bartok World Composition Competition, steps into the unfamiliar terrain of writing for a Korean traditional orchestra. 'I started wanting to try writing for a Korean traditional orchestra after hearing works by schoolmates around me who specialize in that field. I found the sounds really fascinating,' Lee said in an interview earlier this month. 'It's very different, but I also felt that I might be able to approach it in my own way,' he added. 'And that opportunity came sooner than I expected.' The opportunity came at the suggestion of Seoul Metropolitan Traditional Orchestra conductor Choi Soo-yeoul. Choi had said that 'To me, Korean traditional orchestra is a branch of contemporary music. It's a very special genre in that it allows us to express the present through ancient instruments.' When commissioning the work from Lee, Choi encouraged him to approach it freely, precisely because he hadn't studied Korean traditional music. The result is "Reframing Project: Part II — Rediscovering Jangdan." This SMTO series reexamines and reinterprets the uniqueness of Korean traditional orchestra through creative ideas and perspectives that reorganize, expand, or combine it in new forms. The program poses a conceptual question: What if jangdan, the traditional Korean rhythmic cycle, was reimagined as a language of flow, time and sensation? Lee's work, 'Unselected Ambient Loops 25-26,' was placed alongside Kim Hee-jo's Ensemble No. 3, a landmark composition by a pioneer of Korean orchestral music that explores the vitality and beauty of traditional rhythmic forms. According to Lee Seung-hweon, artistic director of the Seoul Metropolitan Traditional Orchestra, the pairing was intended to create a stark contrast and offer audiences a wide spectrum of choices and perspectives. In writing this piece, Hanurij Lee maintained the same mindset he had since his early days. 'When I first started composing in elementary school, my teacher would always say, 'Write your music as if the best performer in the world will be playing it.' I think that's when my pieces started to become more difficult,' the composer said. To the members of the SMTO, this new work was unfamiliar and included many challenging techniques. 'It's natural for performers to complain about composers because of how difficult we make the music. But if you think about it another way, what may seem like a composer's overambition can actually push the boundaries of a performer's limits, and lead to new discoveries,' the artistic director said. Lee began his musical journey as a violinist at the age of 4. But his aspirations shifted dramatically in third grade after hearing the second movement of Scriabin's Piano Sonata No. 3. "I want to write music like that," he thought. In 2016, he enrolled in the Seoul Arts Center's Academy for the Gifted, marking his first formal step toward composition, and has remained immersed in classical music ever since. He currently studies at the Korea National University of Arts, also known as K-Arts. Lee's compositions have already begun to make their mark both in competitions and on the concert stage. His five-minute piece "...Round and velvety-smooth blend...," commissioned by celebrated pianist Lim Yunchan, served as the opening work for Lim's Goldberg Variations recital tour. Next month, Lim and his teacher Sohn Min-soo will perform a special two-piano arrangement of Richard Strauss' Der Rosenkavalier Suite, adapted by Lee. Lee said he draws his greatest inspiration from other works, no matter the genre. 'Until 2023, I honestly had no interest in any other genres,' he admitted. 'But as I started working on these kinds of projects, I found that flashes of inspiration often came from outside classical music. I'd hear something and think, 'They're doing this so naturally,' and that really intrigued me. So I began listening widely, and those sounds have become a big source of ideas for me. Not in any structured way — it's more like they just appear, somehow.'
Korea Herald
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Seoul Metropolitan Traditional Orchestra appoints its first-ever composers-in-residence
In a milestone move marking its 60th anniversary, the Seoul Metropolitan Traditional Orchestra announced Thursday the appointment of three composers — Kim Hyun-seop, Lee Go-woon and Lee Hanurij — as its first-ever composers-in-residence. This is the first time the orchestra has introduced a residency program for composers. The initiative aims to foster long-term, collaborative partnerships with composers, enabling the creation of a sustainable repertoire. Among the three appointees, teenage composer Lee Hanurij stands out as a rising star in the classical music scene. Born in 2006, he became the youngest-ever winner in the composition category of the Joongang Music Concours last year and also took top honors at the Bartok World Competition in Hungary. Currently studying at the Korea National University of Arts (K-Arts), he gained wider recognition after being commissioned by pianist Lim Yunchan to compose the piano solo piece "Round and Velvety-Smooth Blend." His first orchestral work for traditional Korean instruments is set to premiere Thursday at Sejong Center. 'As composer-in-residence, I hope to explore the broader possibilities of Korean traditional music and seek new sonic directions,' Lee said in a statement. Kim Hyun-seob, another appointee, is currently the artistic director of the Hwaseong City Arts Group's traditional music ensemble. His works are rooted in Korean musical traditions. Lee Go-woon also draws from traditional Korean music and has collaborated with various ensembles, including the National Orchestra of Korea and the Gyeonggi Sinawi Orchestra of Korea. The three composers will participate in a range of projects, including regular concerts and chamber music series, beginning this month. Their appointments have no fixed term. New works by Kim Hyun-seob and Lee Go-woon will be unveiled in November, while Lee Hanurij's next composition is slated for April 2026. Lee Seung-hweon, director of the SMTO, expressed high hopes for the new initiative. 'Their music will be featured frequently in upcoming concerts,' he said. 'We expect this collaboration to not only enhance the orchestra's growth but also have a groundbreaking impact on the field of traditional Korean orchestral music.' hwangdh@
Korea Herald
31-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Star chef curates fine dining banquet at Sejong Center lobby
Sejong Inspiration program pushes boundaries of space, form The Sejong Center for the Performing Arts is launching Sejong Inspiration, a new program series designed to break away from conventional theater spaces and performance formats. By transcending traditional boundaries of the stage, the initiative seeks to integrate diverse genres and expand the scope of artistic expression. The first event under Sejong Inspiration, Heritage Banquet, celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Seoul Metropolitan Traditional Orchestra — Korea's first traditional music ensemble, founded in 1965 — and takes place April 17 at the Grand Theater lobby at 7:30 p.m. Heritage Banquet will offer a multisensory experience, exploring the history and artistic vision of traditional Korean orchestral music through taste. Star chef Choi Hyun-seok, head chef at fine dining restaurant Choi Dot who is also known for appearances on Netflix's 'Culinary Class Wars' and JTBC's 'Chef & My Fridge," will curate the banquet. Inspired by the orchestra's six-decade journey, Choi has crafted a special five-course fusion Korean menu that reinterprets traditional flavors in a contemporary style. Stand-out dishes include the sujebi vongole, a fusion of hand-torn Korean noodles with Italian influences; braised short ribs inspired by Korea's traditional five-color (obangsaek) aesthetic; and a dessert inspired by "sumaksae" — a roof-end tile featuring a smiling human face, famously known as the 'Smile of Silla.' Heritage Banquet is limited to 50 participants and runs for approximately 100 minutes. Tickets go on sale Tuesday at 10 a.m. for Sejong Season subscribers and members, with sales opening to the general public on Wednesday at 10 a.m. Tickets are priced at 200,000 won ($136). Deep dive into sound on stage, in darkness On April 28, the Listening Stage event will invite audience members to explore the depth of sound and spatial resonance from the stage, nestled in the 70 bean bags provided. With the theater plunged into complete darkness, attendees will recline beneath 102 overhead battens, immersing themselves in a transformative sound experience. The event is centered around three musical pieces: Maurice Ravel's 'Bolero,' Arvo Part's 'Fur Alina' and Keith Jarrett's 'The Koln Concert.' The pieces will also be featured in the Seoul Metropolitan Ballet's upcoming May performance of Johan Inger's 'Walking Mad & Bliss.' To enhance the auditory experience, an immersive audio system with approximately 50 speakers will be installed across the stage and ceiling, creating a 360-degree spatial sound environment. Listening Stage runs for 90 minutes and is limited to 70 participants. Presale begins April 9 for subscribers and members, with general sales opening April 10. Tickets are priced at 30,000 won ($20).
