Last year I had the pleasure of visiting South Korea for the first time to attend the 2019 Jeonju Int’l Sori Festival. It was a gratifying experience and I was introduced to the rich musical traditions of Korea, other parts of Asia and various other world music and jazz acts from across the globe. The 2020 edition of the Jeonju Int’l Sori Festival was virtual this year.
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected musicians and music festivals across the planet and the Jeonju Int’l Sori Festival adapted well to this situation through a virtual format. One of the highlights each year is the ‘world sinawi,’ a collective improvisation that brings together Korean and international musicians. For the 2020 virtual edition, Jeonju Int’l Sori Festival used South Korean high tech to deliver remarkable performances from South Korea and various corners of the world.
The Opening Concert in 2020 presented Korean musicians live on stage connected to musicians in 9 different countries. Virtual World Sinawi took place on Wednesday, September 16, 2020 broadcast live by Jeonju KBS.
The event opened with six highly- respected Korean musicians on stage: Hwang Seungjoo on ajaeng; Seo Jungmi on daegeum; Cho Songdae on piri; Jo Jinyong on haegeum; Jang Inseon on janggu; pansori singer Lee Youngsun; and across from them was renowned musical director, composer and keyboard player Miyeon.
The first international act on stage was the excellent Canada-based Middle Eastern music ensemble Constantinople, led by Iranian setar virtuoso Kiya Tabassian.
Next on the virtual stage was the mesmerizing Khoomei Beat, a splendid throat singing ensemble from the Republic of Tuva (Russian Federation) in East Asia that combines vocals and traditional musical instruments.
Amsterdam-based Boi Akih Duo was the third international act. Acclaimed vocalist Monica Akihary and guitarist Niels Brouwer performed world music-infused vocals along with jazz guitar improvisation.
One of the most beautiful moments during the opening gala was the Arirang segment. “Arirang” is a lovely Korean folk song that varies depending on the region, but its meaning and tone are similar. On “Arirang 1,” the Korean musicians were joined by various international artists live from their countries, including musicians from Russia, The Netherlands and other locations.
After “Arirang,” Toine Thys’ Overseas appeared on screen. The Belgian ensemble includes musicians from Belgium, Egypt, Luxembourg, and Brazil. The ensemble performs world jazz with a Middle Eastern flavor.
The Jeonju Int’l Sori Festival also features high profile soloists. This time it was German double bass virtuoso Sebastian Gramss playing an enthralling mix of improvised and structured music rooted in jazz and western classical music.
For westerners, Jeonju Int’l Sori Festival is an exciting opportunity to experience the music of Korea and other Asian nations. The festival presented Cube Band, a youth ensemble that performs improvised Taiwanese music using traditional instruments including the rare nose flute.
Next, the festival presented a wonderful performance of the melodic song “You raise me up!” This was a collaboration between the Korean musicians and artists from the Netherlands, Tuva, and Taiwan.
Spain was represented by the lively Castilian folk group Viguela. The group is known for improvising couplets, combining vocals with folk instruments such as the zambomba (friction drum), guitars, scraped bottle and bells.
After that, music traveled all the way to St. Petersburg in Russia where Esse Quintet performed improvised Russian folk music using traditional musical instruments like balalaika and bass balalaika and two accordions.
The great Indian classical music tradition was present at Jeonju Int’l Sori Festival as well, with a masterful performance from Imran Khan on sitar and Naim Khan on tabla.
The show later returned its attention to the Korean musicians who played a stellar mix of improvised music, pansori and folk music.
Arirang returned for a second round. The “Arirang of Harmony” was an impressive grand finale featuring all musicians, representing 13 countries.
The following day, on Thursday, September 17, Jeonju Int’l Sori Festival streamed Songs over the String, broadcast live by Jeonju MBC. Stringed instruments was the theme of the 2020 Sori Festival. The event featured various sets. The first performance featured Kim Yeonggil on ajaeng (bowed zither), pansori performer Choi Yeongin, and Jo Yongan on drum along with tightrope artist Park Hoiseung perorming acrobatics behind the musicians.
The second set was a dazzling meeting of Korean and western classical music. Gayageum master Ji Seongja and her 10 students, and Amati Cello Quartet led by Kim Seongyeong and 11 other cellists presented eastern and western pieces, including Korean ‘sanjo’ and Bach.
The third set featured Dal:um, a gugak duo, with Su Yean Ha on gayageum and Hye Young Hwang on geomungo. Their musical work was inspired by talchum (mask dance).
The Songs over the String ended with an improvised music concert of sinawi highlighting the stringed instruments accompanied by 20 traditional artists performing pansori, janggu, geomungo, daegeum, piri, and ajaeng.
The Closing Concert was called Fever Time and took place on Sunday, September 20, broadcast live by JTV. The concert featured all of the participating artists playing a wide range of musical instruments and dance, combining multiple traditions, ranging from pansori and traditional Korean music to rock, jazz, opera and classical music.
It was a fantastic musical extravaganza that represents the spirit of the festival, bringing together tradition, modernity and musical exploration.
Watch the opening concert:
More about the festival: sorifestival.com
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.