GongMyoung showcases “Walkabout”
When one sees over 30 instruments placed on a stage, one expects a grand orchestra. But when a quartet takes the stage, the audience is surely in for a surprise. To utter disbelief of the Dhaka audience, the quartet from Republic of Korea, GongMyoung, made the nearly hour and a half-long show on December 11 a resounding success.
The show, titled “GongMyoung Concert Walkabout” was held at the main auditorium of the National Museum. The show was organised by the Embassy of Republic of Korea in Dhaka. The ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Bangladesh, Taiyoung Cho, delivered the welcome speech. Abul Kalam Azad, Information and Cultural Affairs Minister, inaugurated the programme.
As the theme was “walkabout”, the pieces beautifully depicted the mood and feel of a journey. By “walkabout” the troupe meant “a boy’s journey to an unknown destination. No one can stop him. He’d only stops if he realises that he has become an adult.” With the beats of drums and other percussions as well as the dominating melody of flute, the quartet performed a piece, titled “Walkabout”. The quartet performed a total of 11 pieces.
The recital started off with “Paper Lady”. The quartet started the piece while walking towards the stage. Once on the stage, they performed “Speed Movement”.
Great examples of notes defying words were “War and Peace” and “Treasure Island”.
Starting with a soft prelude featuring classical guitar, “War and Peace” ended with a subtle mood but the mid-part featured heavy and high beats of drums that could be labelled as ‘psychedelic’. “There are wars on peoples’ minds. If people find peace within, the world would be peaceful,” the troupe described the number.
On the other hand, “Treasure Island” was easy listening with its wave-like sound and tranquil notes of flute.
“Sunflower” was a romantic piece that depicted “a boy staring at a girl, just as a sunflower stares at the sun”.
Before wrapping up the show with “Joy!”, the quartet continued the journey with “Play with Us”, “Seoljanggu” (featuring four traditional Korean drums) and “GongMyoungYooHee” (a joyful performance featuring different instruments).
“Joy!” was another surprise for the audience. During this last performance, the troupe used unconventional instruments such as a water bottle and instantly made flute [from a plastic pipe], and created rhythm and melody that forced some children to dance with them.
The quartet — Kyung Keun Song, Seung Won Park, Sunil Kang and Yong Ju Lim — used 36 instruments during the show that ranged from buk (traditional Korean drum) to classical guitar. They played several well and lesser known percussions, wind and brass instruments such as dae gum (made of bamboo and played just like a flute), so gum (smaller than dae gum), cymbal, harmonica, gong, taepyeongso, jing, janggu, cajon and tambourine.
GongMyoung’s music aptly demonstrates the musicians’ passion and ideas. Conceptually the group is so strong that in Korea it’s known for creating “exceptional and unconventional” music. All members of GongMyoung studied Korean Music at the University. But they do not consider themselves traditional.
They are respectful to the tradition but not bounded by it. For them traditional music is the foundation for their own creations.
-With The Daily Star input
