Composer

:

Isang Yun

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Orchestral

Compose Date

:

1981

Average_duration

:

20:31

Exemplum in Memoriam Kwangju is a composition by the Korean-German composer Isang Yun. It was composed in 1980, in memory of the victims of the Kwangju Uprising, a pro-democracy movement in South Korea that was brutally suppressed by the military government in May 1980. The piece was premiered in Berlin in 1981, with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Claudio Abbado. Exemplum in Memoriam Kwangju is a single-movement work for large orchestra, and it is characterized by its intense emotional power and its use of traditional Korean musical elements. The piece begins with a mournful, elegiac melody played by the strings, which is then taken up by the woodwinds and brass. The melody is based on a Korean folk song, and it is played in a style that is reminiscent of traditional Korean music. As the piece progresses, the music becomes more intense and dramatic, with the orchestra building to a powerful climax. The climax is followed by a section of quiet, reflective music, which features a solo violin playing a haunting melody. This section is particularly poignant, as it seems to represent the voices of the victims of the Kwangju Uprising, who were silenced by the military government. The final section of the piece is a return to the opening melody, played once again by the strings. This time, however, the melody is played in a more hopeful and uplifting manner, suggesting that even in the face of tragedy and oppression, there is still hope for a better future. Overall, Exemplum in Memoriam Kwangju is a deeply moving and powerful work that pays tribute to the victims of the Kwangju Uprising and their struggle for democracy. It is a testament to Isang Yun's skill as a composer, as well as his commitment to social justice and human rights.

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