National Chorus of Korea
Europe Tour 2016 Koo Chun conductor Dates
Program
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina: Sicut Cervus | Pepper Choplin: Hold on to the Rock | M. A. Don Besig: Glory Hallelujah | W.Y. Na: Psalm23 | G.J. Hu: Psalm23 | K.H. Kim: Psalm95 | K.S. Jeon: San-Yu-Hwa (Mountain Flower) | G.Y. Lee: Honja Sarang | G.J. Hu: Bong-Seon-Hwa | G.J. Hu: Chal-Deok-Gung-Hap | H.J. Kim: Ballade of Kyeongbok Palace | G.J. Hu: North Joseon Arirang | H.J. Kim: Ballade National Chorus of Korea
The National Chorus of Korea (NCK), the country’s first professional chorus and choral leader, was founded in 1973 in order to pursue the professional and artistic aspects of choral singing. In 2000, the NCK started again as an incorporated foundation and umbrella groups under the Ministry of Culture. The NCK has performed about 60 times annually such as at regular concerts, project concerts, provincial concerts, overseas concerts, special concerts, operas and other performances. The NCK has elevated Korean choral music from an amateur to professional level, which has served as the motivation for developing the chorus to become one of the world’s greatest vocal music groups. NCK members have greatly contributed to the field of vocal music in Korea. They introduced a wealth of famous choral repertoire which are Bach’s “St. Matthew Passion” and “St. John Passion”, J.Brahms “German Requiem”, Carl Off’s “Carmina Burana”, “Elijah”, Handel’s “Messiah” and many other songs to Korea at the first time. NCK has garnered many achievements within the choral art field in Korea. It has developed new Korean choral works that express distinct vocal and musical styles portraying many of the special characteristics of Korean culture, alongside interpretations of other various styles of music. NCK has successfully accomplished numerous achievements such as traveling and performing for provincial concerts, subscription concerts, special concerts and operas. The chorus has been invited to Europe, the United States, Russia, China and Japan, providing the chorus the opportunity to become more globalized through the experience of performing abroad. Since its foundation, the chorus has been led by the following conductors: 1st – Nah Youngsoo, 2nd – Bae Dukyoon, 3rd – Nah Youngsoo, 4th – Oh Saejong, 5th – Yeum Jinsub, 6th – Kim Myungyub, 7th – Nah Youngsoo and 8th – Lee Sanghoon. Currently, the chorus is being led by the 9th Artistic Director, Koo Chun. |