Search - Su-Hyun Gum, Mal-Bong Kim, Duc-Ki Kim :: Korean Songs; Hei-Kyung Hong

Beautiful Korean Art Songs

nate | canada | 10/08/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Considering the status of Korean Music in the classica field, it is very understandable that this CD didn't get much publicity from media like Bartoli or Fleming's new CDs.
However, in my opinion, this CD deserves some attention.
Because it has beautiful art songs from Korea. You will find something new from this CD. It can be said something Oriental flavor from some songs like "mt Paek du"
or "New Aririang". But, generally, I don't think you can tell much difference of it from the European operatic art songs especailly if you are not familiar with the language.
So I have to say this CD is worthy for listening to because it is so beautiful and moving.
My favorites are "Mt Pake-du(reminds of a piece of dramatic opera aria), "Missing You", "I want to go home", "my heart",
"Boat sailing away", "Dongshimcho".
For me, these songs are quite familiar since I have CDs by
Sumi jo and Youngok Shin for same songs.
Unlike Jo or Shin's, Hong's interpretations for songs are quite
dramatic and expressive. In terms of who was the best, I guess,it depends on songs.
For instance like "Barley field", Jo has more suitable voice.
Shin has her own merit as well for her soothing and vulnerable voice.
Anyhow, Hong did express her own color on each songs.
I loved this CD more aftering listening several times since her voice was too dramatic for some songs(needed time to get used to it).
For Marketing aspect for EMI, I am not sure if this was good decision to release Korean songs for first project by EMI for Hong(in my opinon, neither Hong or Korean art song doesnot have big name recognition in the market except New York area and Korea). She might have released more safe well-known opera arias.
Anyhow,I hope you could enjoy these songs as much as I enjoyed."

I am enraptured

Roger Schmeeckle | 08/31/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I listened to this because I am studying Korean, and I have been listening to anything Korean that I can get my hands on.



On my first listening I was not too impressed. But subsequent listenings have left an indelible impression of incredible beauty that grows and grows with every return.



I have only one complaint. The CD includes translations of these traditional Korean songs in English, German, and French, but without either the Korean or a transliteration."

Simply, she's one of the best sopranos I've ever heard!

A Music Lover | 10/03/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First of all, my review is not about this particular album. The previous reviewer compared her to Sumi Jo. If Hong should have a lesson on how to sing Korean songs from Jo, then Jo should learn how to act on the stage from Hong. I'm a Korean myself and I have almost all recordings of Ms. Jo including my favorites of her recordings, "Carnaval" and "Ariadene Aux Naxos." I also went to operas and heard both great singers on stage. I'm not an opera expert..but as an opera lover, I truely think Ms. Jo has technical perfection. However, that's not enough for singing an opera. Ms. Jo can sing beautifully in recordings but on the stage, her voice is not big enough and her acting is weak. I'm not talking about physical expression. but vocal expression. Ms. Jo is a Great coloratura soprano but I don't think she's a Great opera singer. I still remember Kei-kyung Hong in Turandot. I don't understand Italian and I didn't even have to read translations because my heart already understood every word she sings."