As the world turns to Korea for the November G20 Summit, The Korea Society hosts a musical salute reflecting the journey to Seoul: royal city, global city. Returning to The Korea Society stage, young kayagŭm great Rami Seo, who has played with Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble, explores world rhythms. Seo “journeys” from New York’s jazzy 57th Street to the hills of Andalusia, from Israel to the Mongol steppe. Joined by guests Deep Singh (tabla), Mi-hye Yoon (synthesizer), and Joonsam Lee (contrabass), Seo “arrives” at Korea through a northern port, her nod to her hopes for unification, and concludes the journey in magical, musical Seoul, as it welcomes the G20 leaders.

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The Korea Society welcomes young gifted greats from New York’s famed Juilliard School in its 2010-2011 Young Visions, Young Voices series. Classical violinist Brian Bak opens the series with a solo performance of Bach’s Violin Sonata No. 2 in A Minor, Ysaye’s Violin Sonata No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 27, and Paganini’s Caprice No. 24.

Bak is recipient of the C.V. Starr and Samsung Scholarships and studies with Professor Hyo Kang, founding artistic director of International Sejong Soloists. Bak has appeared as a featured soloist with symphonies nationwide.

Thursday, October 21

Autumn’s arrival, the splendor of leaves awash in color, and Resting Stones, Standing Stones on exhibit at The Korea Society Gallery inspire this evening of contemplative strings and flute. Kayagǔm master Park Sang-Won joins Chung Chang-Young on haegǔm and flautist Park Jung-Bae on tanso to perform several works. Master Park opens with Yǒngsan Hoesang, a Buddhist vocal piece that developed into a purely instrumental work in the early Chosǒn period. Kayagǔm Sanjo, an improvisational solo piece, offers a contemplative take on Korea’s most beloved folk song, Arirang. View Resting Stones, Standing Stones prior to and after the performance, and enjoy traditional teas and sweets.