If you think accomplished classical musicians are above playing carols to maintain a professional image, you`re wrong.
Ahn Trio, the popular Korean-American alternative classical music group, will give the "Rock `n Christmas with the Ahn Trio" concert on Dec. 17 at Seoul Arts Center.
Consisting of the twins Lucia and Angela, plus Maria, the trio first got the world`s attention in 1987 when they were covered in Time magazine.
The "Asian-American Whiz Kids," as the magazine called them, made their official debut in 1989 and have since been popular in both the United States and Korea for their innovative style of presenting classical music.
"Concerts in Korea definitely mean something special to us," said Maria Ahn, the youngest member who plays the cello, in an email interview. "It is our country where we were born."
Because Korea has always been a special place for them, Maria said they have prepared something special in their repertoire for the upcoming concert.
Transcriptions of Christmas songs will include "Silent Night," which will be very different from the way most of us know the song.
The trio will also present the Korean premieres of their newest works, including "Danceband" by Japanese-American composer Kenji Bench and "Yu-Ryung" by acclaimed U.S. jazz musician Pat Metheny.
"Yu-Ryung" is about substitute drivers who drive car owners home when the latter have had too much to drink. It is said that Metheny, who is well-acquainted with Korea and enjoys a big fan base here, associated the drivers with the word "yuryeong (ghost)" when he first heard of them.
"It`s such an honor that Pat wrote a new piece for us," said Maria. She said it was an excellent work that a modern-day Mozart who is well acquainted with Korea might have created.
Another piece the trio recommended was "Lullaby for My Favorite Insomniac," selections from their latest same-titled album which was released in April.
Many classical music fans often wonder why the trio mixes classical music with different genres like DJing, pop music and dance.
"We try to show that classical music has a huge range of different types," said Maria, adding that the works of Mozart, Beethoven and Stravinsky were considered "modern" back in their days.
From old masters to modern-classical composers who write updated classical pieces, the trio said they love them all.
Having worked together as sisters and a trio for almost 20 years, they said it is great that they can trust and support each other.
"But we (sometimes) need to have a break to feel fresh and get new ideas for new projects," said Lucia, the eldest who plays the piano. "We choose to take separate vacations and be away from each other and come back to our touring life feeling recharged."
The trio also said they had a simple way to solve the arguments that occasionally arise.
"Because there are three of us, we just vote. And sometimes I get my way!" said Lucia.
Besides their concert, the trio also said that they were very excited to spend Christmas with their grandmother who cannot travel to New York City, which is where the sisters live. They also said they want to enjoy eating their favorite Korean foods, like tteokbokki and jjajangmyeon.
Like the trio has done in the United States - holding workshops for those who cannot afford to come to their concerts - they also are preparing a project with UNICEF Korea to set up free community outreach concerts in the near future.
The concert will be at 8 p.m. Tickets run from 30,000 won to 100,000 won. For details, call (02) 318-4301.
By Koh Young-aah
(youngaah@heraldm.com)
[출처 : 코리아헤럴드]
