Exhibitions & Performances
Korean Sound
▲ 코리안 사운드 포스터 Korean Cultural Center is delighted to invite you to a special performance this September, featuring rising young artists of the National Orchestra of Korea. The concert will bring together the beauty of Korean traditional music and its creative modern interpretations. ■ Title : Korean Sound ■ Organizer : Korean Cultural Center, National Orchestra of Korea ■ Supported by : Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Korea, Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange, National Theater of Korea ■ Date & Time : Wednesday, September 24, 6:30PM - 7:30PM ■ Venue : Korean Cultural Center ■ Artists : 2025 Youth Members of the National Orchestra of Korea ■ RSVP : https://forms.gle/9UE6EbmWpygj7AXQ6 ■ Important Notes ▷ Admission is free, but RSVP is required. ▷ Admission is open to the Korean community. ▷ Confirmation email will be sent individually on Monday, September 22. ■ About the National Orchestra of Korea Founded in 1995 as part of the National Theater of Korea, the National Orchestra of Korea has been dedicated to creating contemporary works rooted in Korean traditions. With a unique repertoire and a modern interpretation of Korea's musical heritage, the orchestra continues to inspire audiences around the world. ■ About the 2025 Youth Mmebers Through the "Youth Training Program" supported by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, young musicians are given the opportunity train with the National Orchestra of Korea and perform together on stage. For the 2025 program, 45 musicians were selected, and 11 outstanding performers will showcase their talent in this concert. ■ Program ▷ Flowing Water, Blooming Flowers (Composed by Ham Hyoun-sang) : This piece was written to sound as natural as water flowing. In today's world filled with busy daily life, we sometimes lose what feels truly natural. Each instrument in this work highlights its pure, original sound, inviting listeners to rediscover that authenticity. ▷ Pear Blossom Song for Chamber Ensemble (Composed by Choi Deok-yol) : "Pear Blossom Song" is a well-known folk tune from Hwanghae province. Traditionally sung by local performers, it also appears in the south as a work song. Inspired by its memorable melodies and irregular rhythms, the composer reimagined it for chamber music. The Gayageaum's gentle patterns create warmth, while the Haegeum's wide range brings a human-live voice to the stage. ▷ Burning - Solo Geomungo (Composed by Lee Jeong-ho) : This work fuses the ancient Geomungo with modern digital sounds. It begins quietly, then grows with passion, expressing the composer's desire for music to reach many ears. Like running toward a small light at the end of a dark tunnel, the music builds into an intense cry. The Geomungo's powerful techniques combine with electronic sounds to create a sense of space beyond what one instrument could acheive alone. ▷ Colors of Time (Composed Hong Min-woong) : This piece reflects how time can be experienced in many colors. There are the peaceful greens of deep shade, the pure white of magnolia blossoms, the bright pink of lotus flowers blooming from mud, and also the grey of sadness. Through these musical colors, the piece invites us to embrace every season of life with warmth and acceptance. ▷ Wish upon the Theme of Niliriya (Composed by Park Han-gyu) : "Niliriya" is a lively folk song from the Gyeonggi Region, sung in the rhythm of Gutgeori Jangdan. Its joyful chorus contrasts with the sorros of its lyrics. The composer reinterprets this contrast as the spirit of a nation loging for freedom. The music shares emotions of joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness -- sometimes directly, sometimes hidden in the traditional melodic style. ▷ Disney Medly (Arranged by Hong Min-woong) : To close the concert, familiar Disney classics will be performed. Hearing these beloved melodies on Korean traditional instruments offers audiences a fresh and fredly way to enjoy Korean traditional music.