Chamber Ensemble Concert featuring Korean Musicians of NY Philharmonic

Friday, March 12, 2010, 8:00 PM
$15/$10 Members & Students

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Korean principal members of the New York Philharmonic, including Michelle Kim, violin, Assistant Concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic; Lisa Kim, violin, Associate Principal of the New York Philharmonic; Robert Rinehart, viola, New York Philharmonic; and Soo Bae, cello, recording artist bring the sounds of spring to our Queens community—an unforgettable experience. The performance is co-presented by Flushing Town Hall, JS Arts, and the Korean Cultural Service of New York.

Program
Passacaglia Duo for Violin and Viola (J. Halvorsen 1864-1935)
String Quartet, ‘Crescent Moon’ (James Ra 1976-Present)
Liber Tango (A.Piazzolla 1921-1992)
String Quartet in G Minor, Op. 27 (E. Grieg1843-1907)

James Ra: Crescent Moon
The persecution of Korean citizens while under the occupation of a brutal Japanese empire led to various conceptions in different art forms. In music, one example of this came in the form of a song called “Ban-Dal”. Written by the composer Guk-Young Yoon, it was a song meant to uplift the oppressed Korean citizen and offer some comfort and hope in a time of deep despair. This poignant song shelters a particular kind of innocence. People from different countries have different responses to assaults, but it is striking that, on the surface, this song seems to have no relation to any kind of persecution whatsoever. There is no obvious connection to any kind of patriotism, no call to solidarity, nor is there any apparent emotional expression of anguish.

On the surface, this was a song written for children and indeed, like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star in the United States, every child in Korea now sings it. It is diatonic, simple, and, interestingly, in a major key like the sorrowful major key music of Schubert. It is in this kind of understatement that Korean manner of expression lies. In all of its forms, Korean art is one of subtlety and nuance. The essence of Korean expression lies in silent details that go unnoticed if one does not pay close attention. On one hand, the lyrics of the song can be taken at face value and as material for a fairytale. On the other hand, the lyrics suggest hope for a Korean people who, even though were in a boat with no oars nor any sail or mast, would still prevail over their hardship. "Ban-Dal" ranscended all of the worldly concerns of the Korean people, the political environment, the suffering, and avoided merely making some political or cultural commentary, by uplifting the listener, taking the listener to a different place, even if just for a moment.

When I was generously asked to write this work, I decided to write some variations on this song. However, while traditionally the theme and variations form begins simply and becomes progressively more complex, I opted to write variations that were not necessarily developmental in nature, because I wanted to maintain the innocence of the song. They are, rather, a simple collection of some variations on the tune. Crescent Moon was written for and dedicated to the members of MIK.

-James Ra