The New York Philharmonic Orchestra has been invited to perform in Pyongyang next year. This may be a good thing to happen but I would bet the ticket prices must be astronomical.
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14 Comments
The KWP will probably hand out the tickets to the most loyal and trustworthy party members and their families, instead of selling them to the general public.
Wow, I wonder if they are practicing to play one of Kim Jong-il’s many compositions.
While most people are aware of his ability to play most orchestral instruments with virtuosity, critics generally agree that its his ability as a composer, not just quality but breadth of variety and high level of output, and not as an accomplished musician, that he really shines.
Sometimes I can’t believe that he wrote all 17 aria’s of “Mt Baekdu is my heart, the Daedong River the source of Juche” while being dragged around the country by his mum and dad in the struggle against Japanese imperialist flunkies.
http://www.nk.wikipedia.com/ki.....sitions/mt baekduismyheartthedaedongriverthesourceofjuche
/It really is a very mature work, but my favorite without a doubt would have to be the opus “My father the sun”
http://www.nk.wikipedia.com/ki.....therthesun
Does anybody know if the NY orchestra is practicing any of these pieces, that would be so cool. not that i’d be able to go, but im sure a recording would be made and get on the internet somehow.
“The KWP will probably hand out the tickets to the most loyal and trustworthy party members and their families, instead of selling them to the general public.”
Mins0307–I don’t know if youre being cynical or serious, but most concerts in North Korea are free, but mostly outstanding members of society get to go.
Im not saying its better than in the west or South Korea, just different .
Ooops , the correct link should be here.
#2. dlatn, I was being serious. And you said so yourself “most concerts in North Korea are free, mostly outstanding members of society get to go”
Yes, they are free, because they are not being sold for money, but being handed out. And “outstanding members of society” get to go because the one who controls the distribution of the tickets is the KWP and obviously they will hand out those tickets to the outstanding members of the Party. And everybody knows that the Party is the center of North Korean society.
I was there 2 weeks ago, and was lucky enough to go to the Revolutionary Opera in Pyongyang, which included an orchestra and symphony. From what I saw, the North Koreans aren’t going to be overawed by the New York Philharmonic, supposing they go. The opera was simply outstanding (one of my felow tourists had been to the the Bolshoi Theatre and said the performances were comparable.)
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.
Here’s a pic for those interested:
http://www.trekearth.com/galle.....713500.htm
Hoju, I would have to hear that to believe it. The NY Philharmonic is one of the top world orchestras. Even if all the NK players study in Russia, they will not have the experience that the NY players bring with them. As time goes on, more and more gifted musicians from Asia will pop up all over but they will still need to go to the old world to get the real polish for their skills.
Those will be some lucky party cadre that get to hear that concert.
Asia is “old world” its the americas that are the “new world”!
and Hoju didn’t say better but comparablev and not overawed
What to play at the concert? The well-rounded world citizen contemplating attendance must concur with dlatn that at least one-third of the selections be North Korean; can anyone point out a link for at least s simplified electronic version of any KJI composition, so we can get a breathless preview?
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].
R.Elgin,
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.
What to play at the concert? The well-rounded world citizen contemplating attendance must concur with dlatn that at least one-third of the selections be North Korean; can anyone point out a link for at least s simplified electronic version of any KJI composition, so we can get a breathless preview?
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.
#11 Hoju: “…A KJI composition? One of the reasons I have serious doubts this whole thing will go ahead…”
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”.
Hoju, the NY Philharmonic would blow them away judging on what they sent down to Taegu for the friendship games. I remain somewhat skeptical.
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.
R.Elgin, we’re comparing an opera to an orchestra. And we’re both comparing two things when we’ve both only seen one of them. Difficult to say which is better; impossible to say one would “blow away” the other.