LOS ANGELES MASTER CHORALE
PRESENTS WORLD PREMIERE OF MARK GREY’S
MUGUNGHWA: ROSE OF SHARON FEATURING
VIOLINIST JENNIFER KOH AS PART OF CHOIR’S ACCLAIMED

 
“LA IS THE WORLD INITITATIVE” HIGHLIGHTING CITY’S VIBRANT MULTI-CULTURAL INFLUENCES

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Walt Disney Concert Hall

Renowned violinist Jennifer Koh joined Gershon and the Los Angeles Master Chorale to perform the world premiere of a piece by Mark Grey, named one of the Los Angeles Times “2008 Faces to Watch,” Sunday, March 6, 2011, 7 p.m., at Disney Hall. 

The new work, Mugunghwa: Rose of Sharon, was commissioned by the Chorale and is the fourth piece to be premiered by the choir as part of its notable “LA Is the World” initiative, which was launched in 2007. This installment begins phase two of the initiative, conceived by Gershon as a collaboration among composers, master musicians and the choir to expand the choral literature with works that mirror LA’s vibrant multi-cultural fabric. 

Also on the all-Korean program was a stunning piece for three choirs entitled Me-Na-Rii by Hyo-won Woo, who is the composer-in-residence of the world-renowned Incheon City Chorale and is recognized as one of the most brilliant young Korean composers on the scene today.  The Chorale also performed a variety of Korean folksongs, including a wonderful choral arrangement of the classic Korean song Arirang.

Mugunghwa: Rose of Sharon, written for Koh and the Chorale, is a story of courage and passion and based on writings by Korean engineer and writer Kim Namsoo.  The work relates one man's spiritual path to reunification with his family, homeland and deceased father and blends hints of Korea's cherished musical and cultural traditions with Western art music to create a vibrant soundscape.