A study of Arirang and its influence on contemporary Korean choral works

UnrestrictedThe purpose of this study is to help non-Korean people recognize the strength and value of traditional Korean music. While reviewing literature on Korean traditional music and the short history of Korean choral music, this study establishes the importance of the Korean Arirang body of folk song in the advancement of choral music. Arirang is the most illustrious and celebrated folk song tradition in the history of Korea and has great influence over many musical genres. This study will introduce the development of different Arirangs, consider Arirang's musical characteristics, and conclude with Arirang's influence on contemporary Korean choral music. Four different versions of Arirang are examined and four choral pieces based on them are analyzed in this study.; From the time when choral music was introduced into Korea through Christianity, it has achieved remarkable quantitative and qualitative growth. Recently, Korean composers have been encouraged to create choral music based on a synthesis on modern western technique and traditional Korean music. This study demonstrates Korean folk music's compelling influence on contemporary choral works in many aspects, specifically spiritually and musically.; In Korea there have been limitations in musical education and the government-sponsored arts support system, while composers have not developed a strong cultural identity. This treatise will help explain those limitations and contribute to the effort by Korean people to establish a new musical identity