THE SOUNDS OF WINDS AND TEN FINGERS
by Rin Seo Chamber Ensemble
2021 OPEN STAGE
“Goodbye 460 Park, Building the Future Together”
Presented by the Korean Cultural Center New York
The second performance we present is THE SOUNDS OF WINDS AND TEN FINGERS by the Rin Seo Chamber Ensemble.
Rin Seo Chamber Ensemble performs three original compositions by Rin Seo which uses traditional Korean sounds, and one arrangement of the Korean traditional musical piece, “Arirang”.
This program plans to introduce a mixture of both Korean and Western musical concepts to the world. The Ensemble hopes this program will provide consolation and positive energy to the audience during this difficult time.
PROGRAM
1. Play (Premiere)
"Play" is composed by using the Korean traditional Chil-chae rhythm. Chil-chae is rather complex, but has a very energetic and interesting cadence.
Seo wanted to convey a positive energy to the audience through this rhythm and variation with the sound of five reed instruments.
2. Jazz Suite
"Jazz Suite'' is an award-winning composition: the ASCAP Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award and the Downbeat Student Music Award.
The piece is comprised of four movements; first: Blues, second: Boogie Woogie, third: Spanish Tinge, and fourth: Ragtime. Seo combined early Jazz music idioms with modern harmony, rhythm, and sounds.
3. Floating (Premiere) (saenghwang player: gamin)
"Floating" is written for the reed quintet, Korean traditional reed instrument saenghwang, and piano.
Seo was inspired by the saenghwang's attractive yet unique sound and wanted to combine it with the reed quintet's warm sound. "Floating" means not being settled in a definite place, and the piece reflects immigrants' unsettled minds.
4. Arirang (arrangement) (Premiere)
It is Seo's arrangement for Korean folk song "Arirang," which she reinterpreted with modern harmonies and sounds.
Rin Seo (Pianist | Composer)
Aaron Haettenschwiller (Oboist)
Shogo Urahata (Clarinetist)
Nick Marziani (Alto Saxophonist)
Erin Acree (Bassoonist)
Jasper Dutz (Bass Clarinetist)
Gamin Kang (Saenghwang | Guest Artist)
The Rin Seo Chamber Ensemble consists of reed quintet (oboe, Bb clarinet, alto saxophone, bassoon, and bass clarinet) and the piano. The group performs music composed by Rin Seo, the leader of the ensemble, as well as its composer and pianist. Seo is a New York-based composer whose works range from modern improvised music to cross-breeding classical.
Since she was exposed to a diverse musical environment, her music combines eclectic musical idioms and blurs musical boundaries with her own musical color. With the combination of the reed quintet and the piano, and jazz and modern classical music, her music conveys a unique sound to the audiences.
ABOUT KCCNY’s OPEN STAGE
First introduced in 2012, Open Stage has been playing a crucial role in presenting opportunities for rising performers not only based in New York but also directly coming from Korea to display their talents to a wide New York audience. Now in its 7th season, Open Stage is continuously expanding its existing platform, presenting various genres of works including Korean traditional music and dance, modernized Korean creative world music, jazz, as well as contemporary dance and theater. This year, through a highly-competitive process, six groups have been chosen to put on yet again another uniquely wonderful showcase, online.
To check out the lineup of <2021 Open Stage: “Goodbye 460 Park, Building the Future Together”>, please click here.