Saturday 1 September 2012

All Eyes On Korea

Jang Gyeong Kyu and the "Be Being" group were an entrancing proposition at the Purcell Room as part of the 'All Eyes on Korea' festival staged under the auspices of the 대한민국 문화원. A spectrum of strings, reeds, guitars a d percussion all contributed to a soundscape and melodic vocabulary that was never cluttered, though rasping and heavily textured, and delicately rhythmic. The discipline and restraint of the players was properly thrilling, and every element was tested and allowed to give an account of itself without being hurried on by an approaching chorus or ensemble flourish. It was a real treat to hear players asking eachother as many musical questions as they were playing 'together' in any obvious way.