Han Terra

This is a Korean name; the family name is Han.
Han TeRra
한테라

Han plays Kayageum at the Korean Cultural Council of Embassy in Tokyo, Japan, 2010
Background information
Born (1981-03-30)March 30, 1981
South Korea
Genres Classical
Occupation(s) Kayageum player, singer, dancer
Instruments Kayageum
Years active 1989–present
Labels Poly Music Co., Poly Classics
Website terrahan.com
Notable instruments
Korean kayageum
Korean National Major Cultural Treasure No.42
Korean name
Hangul 한테라
Revised Romanization Han Tera
McCune–Reischauer Han T'era

Han TeRra (한테라, born March 30, 1981) is a South Korean kayageum virtuoso, singer and dancer. She was a child prodigy and was performing by age 8. She began her training at the age of five in Western classical music and Korean traditional performing arts including singing and dancing. In addition, she was trained traditional performing arts of Japan and China. She has performed in countries such as South Korea, Japan, China, the United States and France, presently serves as an honorary ambassador of the Center For International Affairs of Korea[1] which is part of the Academy of Korean Studies[2]

Name and genealogy

In South Korea, originally she was named Raesook (래숙, 來俶: "Advent of Goodness" or "Goddess") and she got a Buddhist name Meongwol (명월, 明月), which means 'bright moon' at her early teen age from her Buddhist priest. Han has another ho Danyoung (단영, 澶濴) either. She created the name of 'TeRra' by herself based on the ideas of Latin languages and the Earth Goddess, Tellus and combined all the conception of her other names in the 2000s. Han is a Cheongju Han(청주 한씨, 淸州 韓氏) clan. The clan is well known for producing most 6 queens in the Choseon Kingdom.

Early life

Western classical music studies

Terra was born in Gongju a city of rich history and raised in Seoul, South Korea. Her initial ambition was to become a pianist,[3] having taken piano lessons at the age of 5. Soon she was awarded a special prize in the Korean National Piano Concours.[4] She also played piano for her school's choir. In addition to the piano, she studied various western musical instruments such as violin, flute.

Korean traditional music

Spurred by her mother's encouragement, however, she began to study Korean classical music focused on Kayageum and dance at the age of six. When she was eight, she was awarded the Grand special prize as the youngest recipient in the Korean National Student Music Competition in 1989.[4]

TeRra Han plays piano at age 6.

During her early years, Han had mastery of full version of kayageum Sanjo of Seong Kuem Yeon, Kim Juk Pa, Choi Ok Sam school and all repertoires of kayageum court music, Jeong-ak. She also extended her mastery of the instrument such as the 18, 21 and 25 stringed kayageums during the 1990s. her technique and refined sound of her playing were legendary, while in the Gugak National Middle school and Gukak National High school, her practice at the school attracted many colleagues who came to observe her playing. Her colleagues used a nickname of 'CD(compact disc) album', a reference to her sound she created that reflects old kayageum master's recordings. It was also an affectionate joke referring to her small and elegant facial physique, which is about a full CD size.[3]

Musical crisis

After the period of intensive training in Kayageum during her early, precocious years, Han went through a period of crisis, which brought confusion of musical identities and mannerisms, as her adolescent years were coming to a close. During this period, she briefly considered quitting music altogether and instead pursuing a career in journalism.[5]

In 1999-2000, Han has appeared in several TV programs of KBS for giving new message celebrating new millennium years 2000. When she was a college student, Seoul National University, she was a heroin for an independent film, the movie was entered in an film festival. As well as, she was a reporter at the SNU Journal.[6]

Education

Han graduated from Gugak National Middle and High School (the premier National Korean Music school for teens) and entered the department of Korean classical music, Seoul National University,[7] College of Music,[8] with the blessings of the high school's principal as the first-recommended . After graduation from Seoul National University in 2004, she continued as a graduate student at the same university. Han holds a master's degree in music and is currently completing the requirements for the D.M.A degree in Kayageum performance from Seoul National University.[9]

Han trained on the kayageum[4] under the Kim IlRyun[10] since her early years, studied under the professor Chae-suk Lee,[11][12][13] and studied Kayageum Jeong-ak for Korean court music under the Jeongja Kim[14] at the Seoul National University. Han also studied Pansori and Kayageum Byeongchang under Yoojin Chung,[15] as well as, was trained Korean classical dance such as Salpuri, Buchaechum, Chunaeg-Jeon and so on by Eunhee Song.

Han speaks 5 languages: Korean, Japanese, Chinese, English and French.[5]

Career

Collaborations

Active as a concert soloist since age 12, Han collaborated with many Korean traditional music Orchestra such as Seoul Metropolitan Korean Music Orchestra, National Orchestra of Korea, Jeonju Korean Music Orchestra, Daejeon Korean Music Orchestra with representative conductors of Korean music such as Jaewon Lim,[16] Pyeonryong Lim,[17] Sangil Han. Pyeongryong Lim hailed her as one of the most talented Kayageum players. In addition, she was chosen a soloist at the subscription concert of Seoul National University, College of music in 2002, she played kayageum concerto 'Saeya Saeya' composed by Sungcheon Lee[18] with the Korean Music Orchestra of Seoul National University conducted Chulho Kim,[19] who was an executive director of National Gugak Center.[4] at the Yeak-dang of National Gugak Center,2002.

Recitals

Han had solo recitals at the Sejong Center sponsored by Seoul City, Kumho Art hall[20] sponsored by Kumho Asiana Cultural Foundation, Youngsan Art Hall,[21] among other musical venues of Korea. She cemented her reputation as the young prodigy of kayageum when she was selected as the first Kayageum player in the Young Artist by Kumho Cultural Foundation in 1999. Subsequently, she performed the Kayageum Jeong-ak(Korean court music), Kayageum Sanjo, Spring Snow for 18 stringed kayageum composed by Hwang Byungki, Bell flower variations for 25 stringed kayageum at her recital in 2000 since she played all kinds of kayageum such as traditional 12 stringed and 18,25 stringed kayageum.

In 2009. Han had an invited recital[22] at the Namsan Traditional Theater, she was acclaimed as she met the challenge of keeping the balance between the original Korean music tradition and the newly emerging world music. She also played the 'Five scenes for Kayageum' composed by the prominent composer of modern classical music, Sukhi Kang with the 21 stringed kayageum. The piece had been played with a 25 stringed kayageum because of the complexity of the composition. The performance garnered acclaim and endorsement from the composer for her musical audacity and the extraordinary techniques she commanded.[23][24]

Chamber music and orchestra

Han was a charter Kayageum player of the Korean Traditional Music Youth Orchestra in 2003, after graduated Seoul National University, became the youngest Kayageum player of the Seongnam Municipal Korean Classical Music Orchestra.[25] Presently, she is a member of the Korean Zither’s Association.

Asian studies

In order to expand her understanding of the Kayago and its repertory, Han has been researching other Asian zither traditions including the Japanese Koto, Shamisen, the Chinese Guzheng, and the Indian Sitar. Through her research stints in Japan and China, Han acquired deeper understanding of the pan-Asian musical heritage. She took lessons of Japanese Koto of Ikuta school under the professor Ando Masateru at Tokyo University of the Arts and Chinese Guzheng, North Korea and Yanbian province Kayageum under the Chinese National Human Heritage, Xingsan Jin at the Yanbian University and studied their traditional other performing arts forms such as Japanese traditional dance and singing. In addition, she studied Indian Sitar with Daisy Paradis in New York.[26]

Presently, she is a member of Asian Musicology.[27]

International debut

United States

Han debuted internationally through series of recitals in the United States at venues such as Sam Sumg Hall of the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco as part of the San Francisco International Arts Festival,[28][29] and the Doris Duke Hall at the Honolulu Academy of Arts, and the Northwest Folk life Festival in Seattle. She was billed as the 'latest young prodigy of kayageum'.[4][30][31][32] although she had performed all over the countries in the world until then.[4] even though she had extensively performed both in and outside Korea by then. Her US concerts includes an invited recital at Brown University in 2008 in which she performed kayageum Sanjo, Byeongchang (singing with kayageum), Korean traditional dance and contemporary music using the 25-string kayageum.

Since 2010, she widened her musical presence in New York City where she began collaborations with various experimental, improvisational and other Avant-garde groups, exchanging musical heritage with a variety of artists, especially in minimalism and improvisational style of music as represented by eminent composers Philip Glass, Steve Reich and John Zorn.[33]

She collaborated with the acoustics department of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in a scientific approach to relationship between arts and science.[34][35]

Moving Work of Art

During her stay in New York City in 2012, she presented the music and dances in the tradition of Chosun Kisaeng (Courtesans of the Chosun Dynasty), titled 'Sonnet of an Innocent Flower' at The Korea Society.[36] During the performance, the prominent authority on the Korean music, Dr. Robert. C Provine accompanied her performance with a segments of lectures on each piece. After the event which encompassed kayageum music, song and dance which faithfully replicated the fabled Chosun Kisaeng tradition, people who attended the event hailed her as a 'Moving Work of Art'.[37][38][39][40]

Asia

In 2010, Han resided for some time in Tokyo, Japan during which she tried to adapt Japanese traditional music for Kayageum such as Haru no Umi, Ochibanoodori of Miyagi Michio through collaborations with Japanese traditional instrumentalist. The effort was supported by the Korean Cultural Council of Korean Embassy in Japan.[41]

As the youngest Korean traditional musician, New York Carnegie hall debut recital. 2015.

Han visited Yanbian in Northeast China in 2011 to research performing arts forms of North Korea, Yanbian province and China with the Xingsan Kim who is a Chinese National Heritage of Kayageum of China. Their collaboration included exchange of musical concepts and playing techniques of 21,22 and 23 stringed kayageums.[42]

The TeRras

She visited Tokyo again in 2012 for the purpose of furthering exchange and development of Asian Arts through collaborations with various Japanese artists. The effort culminated in a series of recitals, ‘Han TeRra Korean Kayago Relay Recitals Tokyo’ for five days. The collaborators included Aquiles Hadjis, video artist Benjamin Efrati, pianist Marina Mise, flutist Yoshiki Nose, koto player Hukuda Yasuko, Fujita Ryuhei and so on. Gallery Fuuro, Gallery Pam-a, Mejiro Garden, Supper Deluxe supported the recitals and the Korean Cultural Council of Korean Embassy in Japan sponsored. Her fan club, the TeRras, Han TeRra Kayago Society'was founded in Tokyo during the concert.

Carnegie Hall debut

On September 29, 2015, Han had debut stage at the Weile Recital Hall, Carenegie Hall in New York.[43][44][45] It was actually internationally tour concert starting from at the Suginami Public Hall in Tokyo, Japan[46][47] and National Gugak Center in Seoul, South Korea.[48] She played Kayageum Sanjo full version of Choi Ok Sam which is a National intangible heritage No.23 of South Korea,[47] it was world premier that Choi Ok Sam sanjo full version performed and she was the youngest Korean traditional musicians of a few who ever had a recital at the Carnegie hall, even at the Suginami Public Hall, either.[47]

Press Release

The Epoch Times made cover page with her performance at the Carnegie Hall and the article of her music pressed as titled 'The essence of the Korean traditional music in 21 century[49]' written by the publisher Stephen Gregory, and columnist Milene Ferendaz epoch times Oct.30th both online and paper version. Milene Ferendaz described her 'work of art of ancient times that had come to life.'[49] The journalist, Gomiyoji(五味 洋治) reported her as a title 'Bridging Asian in Music' at the The Tokyo Times(東京新聞), 17th. Oct. In addition, The Korea Times reported her as 'Best Korean kayageum musician have a Carnegie Hall debut as the youngest kayageum musician'.[50]

A Maestro who Saved Girl Genius (RÉVÉLATION)

Han plays in collaboration with Namjun Paik's masterpiece at the Korean National museum of modern and contemporary of Korea. 2014

She had contribution concerts for 80 years birth of Sukhi Kang who is one of the most representative contemporary composers of South Korea hosted by Museum of Modern and Contemporary Arts of Republic of Korea, Seoul Museum of Arts and Museum of Arts, Seoul National University 2015 April–May.[51][52][53] The concert of the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Arts was appointed the official cultural event by Korean government. In fact, the concert series of hers which happened as long as 11 years in Korea since she spend time in overseas including Tokyo, New York, Paris and Beijing, as well as the long period of identical crisis of music by herself.[54]

She presented cutting-edged contemporary masterpiece of Sukhi Kang's which she arranged the pieces for western classical ensemble instruments to solo kayageum as a world premiere, either. One of the pieces was an improvisational electronic kayageum music with film of Namjun Paik who was a visual artist, close friend to Sukhi Kang.[52]

She made headlines titled 'A Maestro who Saved Girl Genius Lost Curiosity, Sukhi Kang and TeRra Han' printed by the Korea Times, written by Byung Wook Jang who is one of the most prominent journalist in South Korea, March 24, 2014.[51]

After her concerts, the journalist Jang Byung Wook wrote a book about Han as form of ebook titled 'Terra', it was printed by The Korea Times DB contents department, Feb. 2015.[55][56][57]

Media Appearance

In 1999-2000, Han has appeared in several TV programs of KBS for giving new message celebrating new millennium years 2000. In addition, she appeared in some entertainment programs of KBS (Korean Broadcasting System), and traditional music programs. Also she attended music radio, Gugak FM.

When she was a college student, Seoul National University, she was a heroin for an independent film, the movie was entered in an film festival.

TeRra Han made headlines and full cover of major newspapers such as the Korea daily, the Korea times, Epoch Times, et.c, and The Korea Times published a book of her, 'TeRra'written by Byungwook Jang, Korean prominent columnist 2015.

Awards and recognition

Schools

Others

Discography

Further information: Han Terra discography

Han's albums include recordings of traditional kayageum solo music, concertos and variety of chamber music including court music, sanjo music and contemporary music. She has also recorded in non korean kayageum music styles, in Japanese and Chinese traditional music with Koto or Guzheng.[58] [59] Her Japanese Koto album 'Sakura' was appointed as the special edition celebrating for the 50years of the diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan by the governments.

Thesis

2006. An analytical studies on composition of 5 scenes for Gayageum by Sukhi Kang

Publications

References

  1. ↑ Center For International Affairs of the Academy of Korean Studies
  2. ↑ Tokyo Kayago Aikoukai, CEFIA Webzine Vol.89, Han TeRra, Correspondent, Nov.2011
  3. 1 2 "가야금 연주자 한테라". Korean Times, New York.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "San Francisco International Arts Festival".
  5. 1 2 Conversation after the performance at the Korea Society, Jan.2013
  6. ↑ "네이버 책". book.naver.com. Retrieved 2016-02-22.
  7. ↑ The Korea Society, 17th. Jan.2013
  8. ↑ Seoul National University, College of Music
  9. ↑ "Sonnet of an Innocent Flower, the Korea Society, New York".
  10. ↑ Kim Il Ryun, Professor of Chungang University, Korea
  11. ↑ 가야금 대모, 이재숙 서울대교수, 서울신문, 2006.7.28
  12. ↑ 이재숙, 문화포털 예술지식백과
  13. ↑ Char-suk Lee, Kayageum Sanjo
  14. ↑ Echoes to Heaven, Cnl music, 5.14.2003
  15. ↑ Fan page, Han TeRra Kayago Society, Tokyo,
  16. ↑ "대전연정시립문화회관 상임지휘자내정, 임재원 교수". Yeonhap News.
  17. ↑ "세계속에 국악을 외치다, 임평룡지휘자". Sports Today, Korea.
  18. ↑ 이성천, 고죽지절의 선비작곡가
  19. ↑ 김철호 국립국악원장, 국악기 표준음고 발표, 파이낸셜 뉴스
  20. ↑ Kumho Young Artist Concert, 27th.April. 2000.
  21. ↑ Youngsan Art Hall
  22. ↑ "Han TeRra kayageum recital, Traditional Music Theater, Seoul, 2009".
  23. ↑ "Han TeRra Kayageum Recital". 경향신문.
  24. ↑ "설중사우의 향연, 한래숙 가야금 독주회, 남산국악당". 국악신문.
  25. ↑ 성남시립예술단, Seongnam Arts Center, South Korea
  26. ↑ Evening of Korean Kayago by Han TeRra, Asian Cultural Council, New York, 29th March, 2012
  27. ↑ Asian Musicology, Korea
  28. ↑ sfiaf. "San Francisco International Arts Festival".
  29. ↑ Han TeRra's International Debut, May, 2008
  30. ↑ "Kayageum Performance at the Doris Duke Hall, May 2008".
  31. ↑ "국악의 세계화과 과제.". Korean Times.
  32. ↑ "마음에 와닿는 우아한 음악".
  33. ↑ "the Stone, December 31, 2011".
  34. ↑ "가야금과 루트가 MIT에서 만나면". Boston Korea.
  35. ↑ "가야금 연주자 한테라, MIT에 알린 신비의 가락". Boston Korea.
  36. ↑ "Traditional Music And Dance From The Chosun Kingdom Featured In Sonnet Of An Innocent Flower". AKPE.
  37. ↑ Conversation with Han TeRra, the Korea Society, 17th, Jan.2013
  38. ↑ "조선기생의 자태를 무대에서". Boston Korea. Retrieved 2013.1. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  39. ↑ "가야금 연주자 한테라 17일 특별공연". Korean Times. Retrieved 2013.1. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  40. ↑ "가야금연주자 한테라, 코리아소사이어티 특별공연". Korean Daily, New York. Retrieved 2013.1. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  41. ↑ "Kayageeum concert with shamisen,Tokyo, 2010".
  42. ↑ "Beautiful People, Beautiful country". Korean Center For International Exchange Affairs. 2012.
  43. ↑ "TeRra Han, Kayageum". www.carnegiehall.org. Retrieved 2015-10-20.
  44. ↑ 무단전재, Ⓒ 종합 경제정보 미디어 이데일리-상업적; 금지, 재배포. "한테라, 뉴욕 카네기홀서 `가야금 산조` 연주". edaily. Retrieved 2015-10-20.
  45. ↑ "가야금 연주자 한테라, 뉴욕 카네기홀서 공연 - 화이트페이퍼". www.whitepaper.co.kr. Retrieved 2015-10-20.
  46. ↑ "가야금 연주자 한테라, 동경 스기나미 공회당 공연 성황리에 마쳐". www.ajunews.com (in Korean). Retrieved 2015-10-20.
  47. 1 2 3 "杉並公会堂：コンサート案内：公演スケジュール". www.suginamikoukaidou.com. Retrieved 2015-10-20.
  48. ↑ "공연정보 - 공연상세페이지". www.gugak.go.kr. Retrieved 2015-10-20.
  49. 1 2 "The Essence of Traditional Korean Music in the 21st Century". The Epoch Times. Retrieved 2015-11-18.
  50. ↑ "미주 한국일보 : ■한테라 가야금 독주회". www.koreatimes.com. Retrieved 2016-02-25.
  51. 1 2 "[장병욱의 쪽빛보다 푸르게] <28> 가야금 주자 한테라와 그의 스승 작곡가 강석희". news.naver.com. Retrieved 2015-10-20.
  52. 1 2 "국립현대미술관 -홍보 -문화행사". www.mmca.go.kr. Retrieved 2015-10-20. horizontal tab character in |title= at position 10 (help)
  53. ↑ "MoA". www.snumoa.org. Retrieved 2015-10-20.
  54. ↑ "가야금 주자 한테라, 4년 만에 내한 ‘갤러리 콘서트’". 이투데이. Retrieved 2015-10-20.
  55. ↑ "네이버 책". book.naver.com. Retrieved 2015-10-20.
  56. ↑ 무단전재, Ⓒ 종합 경제정보 미디어 이데일리-상업적; 금지, 재배포. "한테라, 뉴욕 카네기홀서 `가야금 산조` 연주". edaily. Retrieved 2015-10-21.
  57. ↑ "가야금 연주자 한테라, 뉴욕 카네기홀서 공연 - 화이트페이퍼". www.whitepaper.co.kr. Retrieved 2015-10-21.
  58. ↑ "가야금 연주자 한테라의 중국고쟁연주집 ‘유조창완’". Dong-a Daily. Retrieved 2015-04-02.
  59. ↑ 무단전재, Ⓒ 종합 경제정보 미디어 이데일리-상업적; 금지, 재배포. "한테라, 국내 가야금연주자 첫 日 사쿠라 음반발매". edaily. Retrieved 2015-10-20.

External links

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