The National Gugak Center will hold a two-day special concert as a part of several cultural events planned for foreign officials currently in Seoul to attend the 2012 Nuclear Security Summit.

The Court Music Orchestra of the center will perform a complete version of “Yeongsanhoesang,” the most representative piece of pungnyu music or music appreciated by Joseon’s high society, today and tomorrow at the National Gugak Center in Yangjae, southern Seoul. The orchestra will perform three versions of “Yeongsanhoesang” for two days ― “Gajeunhoesang” on Tuesday and “Gwanak Yeongsanhoesang” and “Pyeongjohoesang” on Wednesday. “Yeongsanhoesang” is a grand suite which consists of nine pieces, whose performance takes more than 50 minutes to complete. 

“The concert will offer foreign delegates here a chance to experience a peaceful state of mind and oriental spiritual world by listening to the music that goes back 500 years,” said Lee Dong-bok, director of the center.

“Gwanak Yeongsanhoesang” is one of the versions of “Yeongsanhoesang,” which mainly features wind instruments such as piri. The gugak piece is performed mainly at court banquets and ceremonies, the center said.

“Yeongsanhoesang” was originally a Buddhist vocal music piece, but the Buddhist influences in the music disappeared during the Joseon period as Confucianism became predominant.

About 100 members of the Court Music Orchestra will perform together to create sublime sounds on the stage while Kim Young-woon, a Hanyang University professor, gives a brief introduction to the history of “Yeongsanhoesang.”

The center said it will continue to play complete versions of long gugak pieces rather than performing a collection of short gugak pieces. “The project is planned to improve performing skills of members as well as to redefine the identity of gugak center,” Lee said.

Tickets are 8,000 won to 10,000 won. For more information, call (02) 580-3300 or visit www.gugak.go.kr.

By Cho Chung-un (christory@heraldcorp.com)