Artistic Di=ector
Portrait of a Friendship Portrait of a Friendship> Impromptu on the Korean folk tune, "Doraji"

Impromptu on the Korean folk tune, "Doraji":

Doraji (Korean: 도라지) is a folk song popular among the ancient Korean people. The song originated from North Korea. Doraji means a wild flower found in Korea, which is usually called the Chinese bellflower in English. Arirang and Doraji are two folk songs that represent both North and South Korea. They are both performed in the triple meter.

Impromptu on the theme of Korean folk tune, Doraji is Kim’s rendition of this old Korean folk tune. The work basically in the triple meter and tonality, is progressed with metric and harmonic changes as well as frequent modulations. The theme of the Korean folk tune is also fragmented and transformed in atonality at some parts including “Quasi Cadenza” section that appears without meter in the middle. With all of this progression, Kim tried to put the scent of “Doraji” in this piece.

Kim made a few versions of his Impromptu based on this Korean folk tune and the solo piano version was commissioned by pianist, Amy Seulky Lee in 2017. The original version for flute and piano was composed in 2015 for the Toronto Messiaen Ensemble’s “The Aroma of France and Korea” concert as a symbol of Korean aroma. Then he made a choral version in 2016 for the Yemel Philharmonic Society’s "Wisdom in Folk and Popular Music" concert in which Kim mentioned in a program notes that “Doraji” symbolizes the Truth of Jesus Christ.

(Lyrics in Korean)
도라지 도라지 백 도라지
심신 산천에 백도라지

한 두 뿌리만 캐어도
대바구니가 철철철 넘친다.

에헤요 에헤요 에하라 난다
얼씨구나 좋다 지화자 좋다
얼씨구나 지화자 내 사랑아

얼씨구나 지화자 내 사랑아!

(Translation in English)
Doraji, doraji, white doraji
white doraji in nature in mind and body

With just digging one or two roots
a big basket will be more than filled

Eheyo! Eheyo! what an excitement!
Let's be rejoice, let's be happy
What a wonderful my love!

What a wonderful my love!

 

Gideon Gee-Bum Kim, managing/artistic directo
 
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