Recently, Dasom Baek and CelloGayageum took the stage at Kings Place in London, gracing the audience with stunning and powerful performances. Presented as part of the K-Music Festival, their concert not only celebrated traditional Korean music but also showed that the Western classical instrument, such as the cello, can be beautifully merged with gayageum as well as the daegeum and the sogeum.

As Dasom Baek graced the stage, I was immediately struck by the sight of her sitting on the floor, a humble position that symbolises a link to Korean tradition. The evening began with the first song, Milky Way, as Dasom played the daegeum, a bamboo flute, and the sogeum, a small bamboo transverse flute. Between performances, Dasom provided commentary, explaining the differences between the two flutes and their significance in traditional Korean music.

Dasom’s music, accompanied by a laptop, on which she also recorded live sounds, often dramatic and emotionally charged, had the power to take me back to a time when traditional Korean music was the heart and soul of the people. The next track was Nothingness during which Dasom used the long flute to record and layer sounds, creating an earthy and almost spiritual experience. The combination of the high and low octaves, along with the use of a bowl (a significant symbol in Buddhism), painted a powerful picture of traditional Korean life and spirituality. In Midsummer Night, Dasom presented her talent as a one-person orchestra, weaving together various pre-recorded sounds with her small flute. The performance of Soliloquy began with spoken word against a backdrop of soothing music. Dasom live-recorded her vocals, which later accompanied her performance on a smaller flute, creating a harmonious mix of traditional and contemporary elements. Tightrope saw Dasom picking up a fully wooden flute, demonstrating her strength and skill in playing this imposing instrument; I was absolutely immersed in her performance. The final piece, Epilogue, began with vocals and spoken word again, featuring distorted radio voices that added a poetic quality to the performance. Dasom music was a breathtaking experience through Korean history and culture. 

After performing six of her compositions, it was time for CelloGayageum, a duo composed of Yoon Dayoung on the gayageum and Sol Daniel Kim on the cello, to take the stage. One of the highlights of their performance was Fisherman, a beautiful and subtle track that resembled a pop song played on classical and traditional instruments. The use of the cello beautifully depicted the loneliness of fishermen at sea and the hope of reuniting with loved ones. Eotmori, on the other hand, created an engaging and rhythmic atmosphere. In addition, the composition had moments of blues and a fusion of Spanish and traditional Korean sounds. Sun of the Ocean was an amazing performance that featured the 25-string gayageum and the more traditional 12-string gayageum. The music reflected the sound of the ocean, with Sol Daniel Kim using his cello bow to create the sensation of waves crashing on the shore. Undoubtedly, this part of the duo’s performance was a soul-enriching journey for me. CelloGayageum also performed UNCANAL, a subtle and beautifully balanced composition, and concluded their performance with Hanyang, a piece that “took” me to the bustling streets of old Seoul. 

The collaborative performance between Dasom Baek and CelloGayageum was a treat! Their Arirang19 was a poignant reflection on the global pandemic, touching on themes of homesickness and a longing for normality. The musicians performed three compositions, with I Saw the Wolf (English title) concluding the concert. I Saw the Wolf was an uplifting and beautiful piece with a French title, J’ai vu loup. The combination of their instruments created a unique and memorable sound that carried me into my world of imagination and wonder.

Dasom Baek and CelloGayageum’s concert at Kings Place in London was a fascinating experience. I left the concert with a deep appreciation for the rich cultural heritage of Korea, not only its music but also the history behind the traditional musical instruments.

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Written by Maggie Gogler

Featured image courtesy of Yoon Dayoung

_{View of the Arts is a British online publication that chiefly deals with films, music, and art, with an emphasis on the Asian entertainment industry. We are hoping our audience will grow with us as we begin to explore new platforms such as K-pop / K-music, and Asian music in general, and continue to dive into the talented and ever-growing scene of film, music, and arts, worldwide.}