Latest News
RELEASED: SCARLATTI SONATAS (NAXOS)
Posted on 23. Sep, 2023 by admin in News
Sang Woo Kang’s recording of Scarlatti Sonatas, has been released. The disc can be purchased here. A review by Jed Distler from the Classicstoday.com can be found here.
Sang Woo Kang awarded Grant from Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation (LGCF)
Posted on 28. Mar, 2023 by admin in News
Appointment news: Seoul National University
Posted on 31. Mar, 2022 by admin in News
Sang Woo Kang was appointed Visiting Scholar at Seoul National University for the spring 2022 semester.
Stay tuned for further news.
Latest Blog Posts
Musical Fusion: Uzong Choe
Posted on 02. Apr, 2021 by admin in Blog
Musical Fusion in Uzong Choe’s Preludes, Book 1 (2004)
Korean composer Uzong Choe’s Preludes exemplify an important facet of contemporary classical music, combining accessible listening with a cosmopolitan sense of style.
The musical eclecticism of these works reflect the synthesis of different musical and technical styles influenced by various European modes. These works are meant not just as pedagogical tools to improve one’s technique to the particular genre, but are also incredible concert pieces. The first book of 12 Preludes was published in 2004, and Books 2 and 3 are works in progress.
Much like études, individual pieces concentrate on particular technical issues, such as major and minor triads (Prelude 9), Ostinato (Prelude 2), and jazz fugue (Prelude 12). Approach wise, Choe evokes Bartok’s Mikrokosmos or Corigliano’s Etude Fantasy, which focuses on particular techniques like fifths and thirds, or trills. The Preludes explore expressive possibilities of sound and styles: Prelude 8 has a more minimalistic sound, with repeating action that reminds one of John Adams’s piano works. Some of these works employ early music as well as popular music. Prelude 7 is very spare and restrained, its main idea on an Renaissance motet “Oculus non vidit,” while Prelude 10 frames a chant melody within six different rhythmic patterns and heavy chords and tone clusters. Prelude 12 concludes the current set with fortississimo tone clusters and dissonant harmonies.
These works are a must-listen, showcasing the versatile stylings of a highly wide-ranging composer.
Piano Practice Tip #1: Less is More
Posted on 27. Sep, 2017 by admin in Blog
I have been teaching my students that the fewer notes or units you practice, the more information you retain.
The idea is simple. When you practice, aim for fewer notes to play. Work on small sections, dive in to the root, get to the point, and always think. Some tips:
- fingerings
- coordination
- practicing hands separate
- listening to phrasing
- rhythm alteration
Concert Review: Pianist Kwiran Lee at the Sejong Chamber Hall, 6/16/14
Posted on 17. Aug, 2014 by admin in Blog
Acclaimed pianist and Ewha Woman’s University faculty member Kwiran Lee performed a dynamic and engaging solo recital of Bach, Mozart, and Schumann at Sejong Chamber Hall on June 16 at 7:30 p.m. A former student of renowned fortepianist Malcolm Bilson, Ms. Lee’s extensive background on period instruments shows in her treatment of the works on her program, even on a modern concert grand.
Attributes of her playing include delicacy of touch and clear interpretations, with subtle hints of pedal.