SAT april 30 | noon

free

Noreum Machi

Conrad Centre for the Performing Arts
36 King Street West

Noreum Machi consists of young musicians specializing in a genre of Korean traditional music that originated from the local farming culture and shamanistic ritual background.

Kim Juhong and Noreummachi pursues the depth of tradition, yet reinterprets it from their point of view on stage. With its consistent interaction with local Korean and musicians abroad, Kim Juhong and Noreummachi, is a professional performing arts company that continues to bring shows for those from various backgrounds to enjoy.

Since its foundation in 1993, Noreum Machi has been trying to re-discover its traditional music that suits our time by communicating with various artists around the world. The name "Noreum Machi" comes from the jargon of Korean minstrels, a combination of skill and timing attained only by the best players. In competition amongst minstrels "Noreum Machi" would refer to the player so skilled that no one would dare follow. In other words the best! Noreum Machi, which is known for its artistic performances and creative activities, invites you to the original soulful rhythm and sounds on the lively stage.

Musicians and Instruments

Kim Ju-hong: Janggu, Kkwaenggwari, Jing, vocal
Lee Ho-won: Janggu, Kkwaenggwari, Jing, chorus
Oh Hyun-ju: Janggu, Kkwaenggwari, Jing, chorus
Kim Jong Myung: Janggu, Kkwaenggwari, Jing, chorus
Lee Jae Hyup: Piri, Taepyongso, chorus

The Instruments

The core instruments used are the janggo, an hourglass-shaped double headed drum that could be considered the national instrument of Korea since it is used in all forms of Korean music; the buk, a double-headed barrel drum; the kkwaenggwari, a small gong originally used in the royal ancestral shrine music; and the jing, a large gong. Other instruments used selectively are the piri, a small eight holed high-pitched oboe; the taepyongso, a conical oboe; and the bara, brass cymbals used in Buddhist and shaman ritual music.