2022 Jeonju Int'l Sori Festival
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Press release

[Review from Journalist]SONG OF MASTERS – ‘WAYS OF WINDS’ by Seth Jordan
관리자2019-11-11 10:57:51353

SONG OF MASTERS – ‘WAYS OF WINDS’

October 4, Moak Hall

 

One the Friday night events at the 2019 Jeonju International Sori Festival featured a gathering of international ‘wind’ masters collaborating with Korean musicians in a variety of creative encounters.

First up was Taiwan’s petite Tseng Chien-yun, who led her trio through some spirited pieces, featuri


ng Tseng’s own double-reed suona horn, accompanied by saenghwang (bamboo mouth organ) and yangguem (hammered zither).

Next up was Swedish flautist Anders Hagberg, who began by playing solo on his remarkable  contrabass flute, a large metal contraption that resembles a piece of futuristic sculpture, which he occasionally sang into. He then switched to a slightly smaller bass flute in order to combine with Korean daegeum (bamboo flute) exponent Lee Changseon on a very evocative piece.

They were followed by another fascinating collaboration - Tibetan flautist Nawang Khechog, accompanied by Korean dancer Yeo Mido. Together they created an improvised, meditative piece that was enhanced by Khechog’s delicate flute flurries, Mido’s gracefully expressive movements and some wonderful visual projections.

The last duo brought together veteran Korean jazz saxophonist Kang Tae Hwan and Jeongga vocalist Kang Kwon Soon. Their free improvisation was challenging but totally brilliant, with Kang Tae Hwan utilising circular breathing techniques to sustain his wild bursts of notes, and Kang Kwon Soon employing extraordinary vocal gymnastics. The combined effect was mesmerising.

 

As a finale, Kang, Hagberg and Khechog performed a delightful trio piece, that amply demonstrated the concept that breath is sound – and that sound comes from the winds.

 

                                                                                                                   Seth Jordan

                                                                                                                   (Australian music journalist)