[Sori-ensemble GONG]
Sori-ensemble GONG consists of five vocalists and one composer, all of whom studied at Korea National University of Arts. Each of the five singers specializes in different genre of Korean traditional music including pansori, gyeonggi folksong and gayageum byeong-chang (meaning “singing while playing the gayageum”).
Although one circle has no special meaning, two circles put together (“∞”) signify an infinity. Sori-ensemble GONG, as its name implies, sings to explore infinite possibilities of musical communion with the world.
Performance Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R111HcdGkTg&ab_channel=%EA%B5%AD%EB%A6%BD%EA%B5%AD%EC%95%85%EC%9B%90%5BNationalGugakCenter%5D
[Work Description]
Maehwa (meaning “plum blossom”) taryeong, a gyeonggi folksong singing about Spring, takes its title from its refrain ‘How wonderful Maehwa flowers are.’ The piece titled ‘Wonderful Maehwa Flowers’ by Sori-ensemble GONG uses a cappella singing and improvised piano melodies to express romantic love and the shining beauty of Spring.
(Lyrics)
If you want to see me, cross the Shimyang River.
The flowers that were put in the vase produced three-color blossoms.
My lover, you are what matters most to me.
If I were a crane, I would fly to you.
However, I’m locked in deep forests.
How wonderful maehwa flowers are
How wonderful maehwa flowers are
How wonderful love is
How wonderful maehwa flowers are
How wonderful maehwa flowers are, how similar love is to maehwa
Of all the sorrows of human relationships, solitary life beats everything else
How wonderful maehwa flowers are, how similar love is to maehwa
Even the haengja trees and general stones have their own partners
A dragon and a tiger also play together as a pair
As flowers blossom and wane so love comes and goes
As flowers wane and blossom so love goes and comes
My lover promised coming to me when maehwa flowers blossom
Why has he not arrived, will he come only after the flowers fall?
The strong scent of maehwa flowers makes me want to see my lover
Until when will this life last? The maehwa flowers are swirling in the wind
A day goes by, another day goes again, and then many days follow away.
How I miss my lover, my life is a maehwa flower.
How wonderful maehwa flowers are, how similar love is to maehwa
How wonderful maehwa flowers are, how similar love is to maehwa
Return I will, return I will
How wonderful maehwa flowers are, how similar love is to maehwa
[Performer]
가야금병창(Gayageum Byeong-chang) 고혜수(Ko Hye-su)
경기민요(Gyeonggi Folksong) 김아령(Kim Aryeong)
가야금병창(Gayageum Byeong-chang) 김희영(Kim Hee-yeong)
경기민요(Gyeonggi Folksong) 조은주(Cho Eunju)
작곡, 피아노(Composition, Piano) 최지운(Choi Jiun)
판소리(Pansori) 한승호(Han Seung-ho)
[Production]
National Gugak Center
*Program & content material provided from the National Gugak Center
