Klarinet Archive - Posting 000457.txt from 1995/06

From: Fred Jacobowitz <fredj@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Isang Yun - Riul
Date: Tue, 20 Jun 1995 23:47:21 -0400

Rick,
According to the CD liner notes I have (Isang Yun Selected Works for
Clarinet, Camerata #30CM-446) the RIUL (a Korean word meaning melody or a
certain type
of rhythm) was composed in early summer of 1968 during the his
hospitalization for severe heart trouble , which he had suffered in the
course of facing political trials associated with the well-known
Kidnapping Incident perpetrated by the KCIA (Korean Secret Police), and
under very strict police surveillance." So maybe if you do a newspaper
search or ask Amnesty International you'll get some good stuff on him. It
goes on to say "It is the composer's intention here to show the melodic
character as a continually fluctuating element. In the second half of the
1960's it was, according to the composer, his plan to develop the idea of
"Main-tone" extensively." The program notes also talk more about
"main-tone" in re other Yun compositions on the disc. Hope this helps.
Good luck on the piece. I listened to the recording and it soulds like a
very difficult work. I'm not enthused about it from a listener's point of
view, though. So I'm not going to bother buying and learning it. I find
Yun's music to be rather long-winded and somewhat repetitive.

Fred Jacobowitz

On Tue, 20 Jun 1995, Rick Faria wrote:

> Hello! I am new to this mailing list (actually, i'm new to any mailing list)
> and was wondering if anyone could help me with my problem.
> I am presently finishing my DMA degree in Clarinet Performance, and am doing
> a piece on my final recital by Isang Yun, a Korean composer, called Riul. It
> is written for clarinet and piano. I am looking for some information about
> the composers life and compositional style. I have found the usual brief bios
> in Bakers and Groves, but am looking for something more substantial. I am
> fascinated by the piece and the little that I know of his life. Any pointers
> would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks, Richard Faria
> RAFaria@-----.com
>