Korean Folksongs from Jeju Island

From Wind Repertory Project
Frank Ticheli

Frank Ticheli


General Info

Year: 2013
Duration: c. 10:25
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Manhattan Beach Music
Cost: Score and Parts - $295.00   |   Score Only - $20.00


Movements

1. Country Song (Iyahong) - 3:50
2. The Forest Nymph and the Woodcutter ("Kyehwa") - 3:10
3. Celebration on Halla Mountain (Nuhyoung Nahyoung) - 3:15


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion I-IV, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Bongos
  • Chimes
  • Claves
  • Glockenspiel
  • Marimba
  • Sleigh Bells
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Tam-Tam
  • Tambourine
  • Temple Blocks
  • Triangle
  • Vibraphone
  • Xylophone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Jeju is a volcanic island that lies in the Strait of Korea, south of the peninsula. Rich in cultural elements of a highly matriarchal society, there is a wealth of labor and ceremonial songs that are indigenous to its people. It is said that there are as many folksongs as there are occupations on the island. Farming songs, fishing songs and children's songs are especially abundant. The texts, based n the exotic dialect of the islanders, create a unique sensation of both joy and sadness in the melodies. Most of these songs are pentatonic and occur in compound meter. In traditional performances, the songs are usually unaccompanied or perhaps simply include a subtle drum beat to keep the pulse.

In Ticheli's Folksongs from Jeju Island, the folksongs that he has chosen provide the source material for new ways of experiencing the sounds of the culture as brilliant orchestration, inventive transitional material and colorful embroidery amplify the experience. Of this settings, the composer provides this following description:

"...I endeavored to preserve the bright, bouncy spirit of the original folk melodies: however, I also enhanced the music using extensive counterpoint, extended melody, a sense of fantasy, and other Western devices. The three movements are melodically interconnected: the second movement's melody is foreshadowed in the middle of the first movement; the third movement's melody is foreshadowed in the second; and the first movement's melody makes a cameo appearance in the finale's grand climax. This cross-pollination was not only fun to do, but also served to unify the three movements in a palpable way. Most importantly, I was delighted and galvanized by these buoyant, optimistic folksongs. I hope the joy I felt comes through to all who perform and hear this work."

- Program Note by the Louisville Concert Band concert program, 19 December 2013


Jeju Island is located just south of the Korean mainland; isolated for generations, it was subsequently colonized by various foreign powers. Many of Jeju Island’s traditional folksongs were recorded during a revival of cultural interest during the 1960s, and they celebrate a variety of topics, including love, joy, sadness, farming and fishing, island legends, and its natural beauty. They generally use a pentatonic scale and are traditionally sung unaccompanied, or with only a light drumbeat.

Ticheli’s piece preserves the bright, upbeat spirit of the original melodies, each movement representing a different folk tune. The first movement embodies exuberant joy, describing the features of the island, including caves, ponds, and Halla Mountain. The second movement is a gentle love song, and the third movement is a celebration that features the sound of jubilant church bells at the end. Ticheli has foreshadowed the melody of each new movement during the end of the previous movement, and the opening melody reappears during the finale.

- Program Note by Edward C. Harris for the San Jose Wind Symphony concert program, 17 May 2015


Commissioned by the Organizing Committee of the Jeju International Wind Ensemble Festival.

- Program Note from score


Media


State Ratings

  • Texas: III. (Play one mvt.)
  • Texas: IV. Complete


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Purdue University (West Lafayette, Ind.) Collegiate Band (David M. Blon, conductor) - 22 April 2022
  • University of Texas, Arlington, Wind Symphony (Douglas Stotter, conductor) – 25 February 2022
  • Keene (N.H.) State College Concert Band (Madison Shimko, conductor) - 20 February 2020
  • Indiana University (Bloomington) Summer Band (Eric Smedley, conductor) – 17 July 2019
  • The Woodlands (Tex.) Concert Band (Gary Garner, conductor) - 20 December 2018 (2018 Midwest Clinic)
  • Purdue University Wind Ensemble (Jay S. Gephart, conductor) – 4 October 2015
  • San Jose (Calif.) Wind Symphony (Edward C. Harris, conductor) - 17 May 2015
  • Lone Star Youth Winds (Richardson, Tex.) (Frank Ticheli, conductor) - 10 May 2015
  • Fremont (Calif.) Unified School District High School Honor Band (Edward C. Harris, conductor) - 1 February 2014
  • Louisville (Ky.) Concert Band (Frank Ticheli, conductor) - 19 December 2013 (2013 Midwest Clinic)
  • Pleasant Valley Band - 2013
  • Darling Range Wind Ensemble (Perth, W.A., Aus.) (James Martin, conductor) - August 2021


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources

  • Frank Ticheli website Accessed 6 July 2020
  • Ticheli, F. (2013). Korean Folksongs from Jeju Island: Concert Band [score]. Manhattan Beach Music: Brooklyn, N.Y.