The NYPO could play some Isang Yun but his music wants an educated ear since he uses a very personalized serial style of writing. I cringe every time locals play his work here because I know it must be tough for the Koreans here to listen to his often heart-wrenching and demanding music. Koreans seem to dislike dissonance, at least in music

Yun is a great composer though, IMHO and may God bless him.

Well, I said “North Korean” music for 1/3 of the selections; it doesn’t absolutely have to be something by KJI. Of course I’m assuming that currently, music by other North Korean composers is in fact allowed to be played at concerts such as this.

From Asiaweek 3 Nov 2000: http://www.asiaweek.com/asiawe.....korea.html

“….The North Koreans pulled out all the stops for their American guest [Secy of State Madeline Albright]. She was taken to a kindergarten, where children put on a dancing routine (Albright gamely joined in). She was treated to a mass performance by acrobats and dancers waving banners and flowers at a Pyongyang stadium…”

How about having NYP play the same music used for the acrobatic/dancing performance for Secy Albright? Maybe the NYP can perform at the stadium and be the ones to accompany the dancers this time. I’m sure NYP won’t mind, in fact I bet most (if not all) of the orchestra members are registered Democrats back in USA and would welcome an opportunity to play for their DPRK audience a reminder of that hopeful time.

What time is that? Why, the golden sunset of the Bill Clinton Presidency; such music could even be considered an augury of the rising sun of a hopefully soon-to-be Hillary Clinton Presidency (oops perhaps “rising sun” isn’t quite the right analogy to use here, oh well I’ll let it stand as is for now…)

If a brand new NK composition is simply a must, a leading NK composer could be commissioned by the Dear Leader to write a new one. Suggested title: “The Orchestra that Came in from the Cold”.

A KJI composition? One of the reasons I have serious doubts this whole thing will go ahead. Killing yankees, or at least aspiring and exhorting to kill them, seems to feature prominently in most of his works - something I’m not sure the Philharmonic will want to celebrate in song - or watch, for that matter, when it comes their turn to politely sit through the local opera.

“Sea of Blood,” “the Flower Girl,” and “a True Daughter of the Party,” are the three main operas. I’d suggest “Sea of Blood” might be the best choice, since the evil-doers in this one are Japanese, not Yankees.

No doubt the NY Philharmonic is better. But how much better? Like I said, I just don’t think they’ll be overawed by them.

The interesting thing about the opera I saw was the character of the performance - it really felt like I’d just stepped back into a 1950s moscow theatre. The Russian influence was really strong, and the “revolutionary” zeal - not just by the performers, but by the audience - was genuine. Bizarre, a little sad (like the rest of North Korea) but beautiful nevertheless.

One-third American of course, in tribute to the orchestra; Copland’s “Lincoln Portrait” is the “must” choice. It will bring a wistful tear to the eyes of the North Korean audience, as they contemplate the heroic Lincoln holding the North together in a time of adversity while eventually bringing about reunification with a recalcitrant and reactionary South, sacrificing his dear leadership for the just cause.

One third European, in tribute to both the origin of modern orchestral music and modern political philosophy. Perhaps some of the same selections as played by the orchestra in this movie:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081344/

The star of this movie, Vanessa Redgrave is a well-known progressive and supporter of oppressed peoples around the world; perhaps she could be invited to attend the concert as the personal guest of KJI. NYP could play some of the same music as played by Vanessa’s movie character; can’t recall the specific selections but I reckon Wagner and Beethoven predominanted.

No Mendelssohn — of course. And please, not the Song of the Volga Boatmen, not even as background during the lobby intermission for champagne and caviar [what kind? why, Iranian, of course -- you shouldn't have to ask, surely you know that memories of the Russian betrayal are still too recent and painful].

and Hoju didn’t say better but comparablev and not overawed

Those will be some lucky party cadre that get to hear that concert.

http://www.trekearth.com/galle.....713500.htm

I’m not an opera buff myself but I was very impressed (although the anti-yankee stuff was pretty heavy duty).

As far as letting people in, everyone I saw in there seemed to part of North Korea’s upper crust. There were digital cameras scattered through the crowd and everyone looked well-to-do. Stark contrast to the circus, where the crowd was ragged and raucus.