A study of selected piano works by Jean Ahn and Hee Yun Kim that include Korean folk songs

The purpose of this study is to introduce two Korean women composers who are actively working in the United States and their compositions which are based on Korean traditional tunes into several compositions like Nil-lili, Berkeley Arirang, Mongeumpo, Ongheya, Folksong I for solo piano and Memoir of Dong-Hak for chamber to people who are interested. It is true that many Korean composers are involved in famous worldwide composition competitions. They certainly had many successes from international competitions. With the proof of these circumstances, this study will show two women composers and compositions with the reason of their balance and harmony between Eastern and Western music styles. One of two composers is Jean Ahn who graduated from UC Berkely for Doctoral Degree and is teaching in University of Pacific at Stockton. In 2006, she got the first prize winner from Sejong Korean Music Composition Competition with the piece of Nil-lili for solo piano. Otherwise, there are several pieces based on Korean tradition tunes which are Berkely Arirang, Mongumpo and Ongheya. The other woman composer is Hee-Yun Kim who graduated from University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign for Doctoral Degree and now residency composer in the States. In 2007, she got the winner prize from Pablo Casals International Composition Competition with the piece of Memoir of Dong-Hak for chamber. The other piece is Folksong I for prepared piano which is a technique to bring out drum sounds to imitate Korean traditional sounds. With introduction of two women composers’ compositions, it is hoped that all pieces could be useful to people who are interested in Korean traditional music as well as the spirits of Korean culture.U of I OnlySchool of Music polic