Korean Traditional Music Ensemble: Traditional Music from Korea

This is classical, not folk, music. It traces its lineage back a thousand years or more. Korean music seems largely free from foreign influence. There are a variety of instruments in the ensemble, including Korean versions of the oboe, zither, fiddle, drums, and gongs. The speed is usually slow to midtempo, but sometimes they creep up to the pace of a march. Most of the songs are instrumentals, and all appear to be traditionals. As far as the appeal of the music to someone not used to it, one would have to say it is a mixed bag. Sometimes, to put it bluntly, the timbre is a little cacophonous. Sometimes it is strangely beautiful. Three tracks stand out as special. "San Jo" features the majestic bass zither; the piece is eerily grand. "Sanjo Ensemble" is an improvisational piece arranged for most of the instruments (sorry, no gongs), and sounds a little like jazz, with ensemble parts alternating with fetching solos from the zither, fiddle, and flute. It sounds a bit like Chinese classical music. "Samullori" is a raucous and rhythmic number just for gongs and drums. It really pulls the listener in. Recommended. ~ Kurt Keefner