A Combination of Asian Language with Foundations of Western Music: An Analysis of Isang Yun's Salomo for Flute Solo or Alto Flute Solo
This dissertation introduces a Korean composer, Isang Yun (1917-1995), who embraced European traditions but retained Asian characteristics in his compositions. Attending the 1958 summer course in Darmstadt in Germany, Yun was strongly influenced by the avant-garde style of Boulez, Stockhausen, Nono, and Cage. In addition to his work as a composer, Yun distinguished himself, as one of the most important Asian composers to blend Eastern and Western music; and although his musical training focused on Western music, he continued the pursuit of Eastern sounds and philosophies throughout his musical life. Imprisoned in 1967 by the South Korean government, Isang Yun's music, particularly in later life, incorporates his beliefs on social and political issues together with musical ideas. Although his love of country was deep, Isang Yun was not allowed to return to South Korea, and he lived in Germany for the remainder of his professional life. In this study, my purpose is to investigate the development of Yun's musical ideas from his acceptance of Taoism four structures in the world: the Tao, heaven, earth, and man. The presence of both Western and Eastern influences in Yun's music provides the basic of his musical style, and analysis of Salomo fur Altoflote oder Flote is included in this dissertation.
Enter the ‘Far East’: Korean culture in early South Korea–Israel relations
Diplomatic relations between South Korea and Israel were formed only in 1962. Furthermore, as the two countries from both ends of the continent cooperated in various areas during the 1960s and 1970s, relations were becoming more complicated and even officially rather cool in light of Korea’s evolving relations with the Arab world. Against this backdrop, and based on the reading of contemporaneous Israeli press, the study argues that culture mattered very much in the early stages of the relations. Cultural contacts between Koreans and Israelis started well before the establishment of full diplomatic relations, and cultural diplomacy played a significant role in maintaining them in the decades that followed. Like today, both parties often emphasized the cultural and historical affinities between the two peoples, and in the process, the Israeli public was exposed to early glimpses into Korean culture while images of Korea and its people were created as well.
The British Museum
IT is strange that such a statement as that advanced by Mr. W. Stanley Jevons in NATURE, Nov. 13, has so long remained unchallenged, viz. “that the British Museum exists not so much for the momentary amusement of gaping crowds of country people, who do not understand a single object on which they gaze, as for the promotion of scientific discovery, and the advancement of literary and historical inquiry.” No one will dispute the truth of these statements, but substitute the word “instruction” for “momentary amusement,” and I very much doubt if his views would meet with public approval. I have always looked upon the British Museum as the National Museum, and pre-eminently the Museum of the people, and, as such, the arrangement and labelling of the specimens should be of the most simple and instructive nature: nor is such an Object opposed to, but perfectly coincident with, the highest interests of science. No wonder the Museum is filled with “gaping crowds” when nothing is done to instruct them as to the nature of objects of which Mr. Stanley Jevons himself admits they are ignorant, nor to provide them with a suitable and educational guide-book, without which they are as sheep without a shepherd. When the Trustees of this Museum can spare time, they may, perhaps, be able to direct attention to the fuller development of its scientific and educational functions; as regards the former, by the establishment of one exclusively British Department; and, as regards the latter, by carrying out the very obvious suggestions which I have advanced. The view that science, or rather scientific men, should have a monopoly of the benefits to be derived from this Institution is astoundingly selfish and narrow-minded. If such are the views of the Trustees, the British Museum had better be closed to the public.