Korean children’s song played by classical pianist

The album was full of familiar songs. I gave myself to the music. If the melody became cheerful, I moved my shoulders up and down. If the melody went sad, I closed my eyes. The combination of children’s songs and classical piano enriched children’s songs and lightened up the playing of classical piano. This is how I felt about the recently released album titled "Sister."

"Sister" is a cross-over album based on popular Korean children’s songs played by pianist Park Jong-hwa (photo), 41, professor at Seoul National University. The songs are arranged by Lee Young-jo, professor of the Korea National University of Arts, Kim Joon-seong, music director at the Korean movie Masquerade, and composer Na Sil-in. Included are 11 songs: Mother and Sister, Lullaby (composed by Kim Dae-hyun), On the Flower Bed, Island Baby, The Mountain Rabbit, Blue Bird, Orchard Path, Arirang (Gyeonggi region), Dream of a Girl, Our Wish and Spring of Hometown. The Dream of a Girl is a new song composed by Kim Joon-seong and others are well-known Korean children’s songs.

“As they are children’s songs, it was easy to play melodies. But the challenge was how to bring up and express Koreans’ unique emotions contained in the children’s songs,” said Park, who has spent most of his life abroad since he went to Tokyo to study playing the classical piano at the age of 5. Professor Park sometimes performed Korean children’s songs arranged for classical piano as encore songs at his recitals. Now, Park has produced an album with 11 children’s songs arranged for classical piano and is planning a recital based on the album’s songs.

“As a professional pianist, I will continue to dig into classic masterpieces and draw the essence of them. But I believe one of my roles is to widen the entrance gate for classical music and lead more people to enjoy classical music,” said Park. At Seoul LG Arts Center starting Sept. 20, the recital will be also held at Yeulmaru Hall in Yeosu (Sept. 24), Gimpo Art Hall (Sept. 30), Jeju Art Center (Oct. 1), Seogwipo Arts Center in Jeju, (Oct. 2) and Daejeon Arts Center (Oct. 7).

In addition to children’s songs, Park will play Mozart’s Little Star Variations and Moonlight of Beethoven, Children’s Corner of Debussy and Baby’s Collection of Dolls of Villa-Lobos. “The Baby’s Collection of Dolls played by Villa-Lobos, a Brazilian musician, is similar to my album," Park said. "The collection is based on songs with South American rhythm and chords such as bossa nova and samba."

When asked what would be the next project after recitals, Park answered, “I will ask contemporary composers such as Jin Eun-sook of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra to make songs in collaboration and search for new contents.” His vigorous curiosity into art and music seems endless.