Korean music

Korean music includes both folk and classical styles from the countries of North and South Korea.

Classical music

The fine range of Korean symphonic orchestras have been bolstered by notable performers, and soloists, as well as highly skilled orchestra directors.

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Internationally known Korean composers of classical music include such notables as: Lee Soo-in, who specializes in music for children, and his famous ""Song of My Homeland".

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Korean classical music can be divided into at least four types: courtly, aristocratic, scholarly, and religious.

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Court music

Modern orchestral court music began its development with the beginning of the Choson Dynasty in 1392. It is now rare, except for government sponsored organizations like the National Center for the Korean Traditional Performing Arts.

Related Topics:
1392 - National Center for the Korean Traditional Performing Arts

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There are three types of court music.

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One is called aak, and is an imported form of Chinese ritual music, and another is a pure Korean form called hyangak; the last is a combination of Chinese and Korean influences, and is called tangak.

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Aak

Aak was brought to Korea in 1116, and very popular for a time before dying out. It was revived in 1430, based on a reconstruction of older melodies. The music is now highly specialized, and uses just two different surviving melodies, and is played only at certain very rare concerts, such as the Sacrifice to Confucius in Seoul.

Related Topics:
Aak - 1116 - 1430 - Sacrifice to Confucius - Seoul

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Tangak

Modern tangak, like aak, is rarely practiced. Only two short pieces are known; they are Springtime in Luoyang and Pacing the Void.

Related Topics:
Tangak - Springtime in Luoyang - Pacing the Void

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Hyangak

By far the most extant form of Korean court music today, hyangak includes a sort of oboe called a piri and various kinds of stringed instruments.

Related Topics:
Hyangak - Oboe - Piri - Stringed instrument

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Aristocratic chamber music

Originally designed for upper-class rulers, to be enjoyed informally, chongak is often entirely instrumental, usually an ensemble playing one of nine suites that are collectively called Yongsan hoesang. Vocals are mainly sung in a style called kagok, which is for mixed male and female singers and is accompanied by a variety of instruments.

Related Topics:
Chongak - Yongsan hoesang - Kagok

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