Press Release: May 2013
POCHAGI 보자기– A Tapestry of Korean Sounds
Pochagi is a Far East fusion concert presented by Hyelim Kim & Yin Yang Collective – an intoxicating mixture of east-west sounds. Cool beautiful Korean classical traditions vie with rhythmic Japanese shamisen, the earthy taegum with the ethereal Chinese flute, the passion of dark Argentine tango mixing it with toe-tapping Irish folk.
Inspired by the rich patchwork of Korean Pochagi cloth, the concert brings together five outstanding East Asian musicians onstage in London for the first time, and launches renowned taegum player Hyelim Kim’s debut CD – Nim: Hyelim Kim Taegum Collection.
Yin Yang Collective (YYC) is London’s East-West collaborative band, comprising players from UK, China, Korea and Japan. YYC devised this special concert to showcase Hyelim Kim and the taegum (Korean flute), a traditional instrument in Korea, but used increasingly for popular and crossover styles. The concert is at London’s prestigious Royal Asiatic Society on June 6th, 2013 at 7pm.
Hyelim Kim: ‘I am very happy to be living here in London for a few years, and wish to work with as many people as possible in the amazing atmosphere of the capital. I’ve already recorded for BBC and want to share the music and culture of my homeland with people here.’
Alongside Hyelim there will be Japanese Shamisen player Hibiki Ichikawa, currently the only professional Tsugaru Shamisen player in the UK, multi-instrumentalist Dennis Lee on Chinese flute & zither, rising Korean opera singer Bomi Kim, Charlie Cawood on moon lute and YYC’s own Director, Mark Troop on piano. The taegum is the start and end point of the concert which takes a musical journey through folk and classical styles of Korea, Japan and China, flirting with tango and Irish folksong along the way. The programme boasts two premieres, one World – Arirang arranged by Chorong Park and one European – Ch’ong by Daeseong Kim.
The concert is part of a series of events leading towards a new East Asian Festival for London – The Far East Roadshow. This will be an annual platform event celebrating the arts of China, Korea and Japan, and their collaboration with the UK and western culture.
Artistic Director of Yin Yang Collective, Mark Troop: ‘London is awash with East Asian communities, teeming with artists, musicians, and performers of all sorts. We want to bring these amazing people and their traditions to a whole new public, through great and accessible concert events. London needs this festival, and our Korean concert is a step in that direction.’
Pochagi is supported by Anglo Korean Society and The Chamber Music Company.
Event information:
Dates + time: Thursday 6 June 2013, 7.00 pm
Venue: Royal Asiatic Society, 14 Stephenson Way, London NW1 2HD
Nearest Tube: Euston Square Tickets: £15 / £12 (concessions)
Book online: pochagi.eventbrite.co.uk
