[Contents]

Ⅰ Moderato Cantabile 

Ⅱ Allegro con moto 

Ⅲ Andante Cantabile 

Ⅳ Finale 

[Dedication]

[Commission]
Korean Chamber Orchestra for 50th Anniversary Special Concert

[Program Note]

The first movement of Marimba Concerto, Allegro con moto, starts with an impressive pastoralized introduction that embraces it with the tenderness of string instruments under the movement of freely swimming woodwinds. The second movement, Andante Tempo di Valse, “Threnody to the Victims of Sewol Ship” which sketches the tragic incident occurred in Korea in 2014 starts with a slow and sad valse triste, describing a joyful beginning of the students’ trip. Flute and marimba leads the introduction, playing softly and lyrically. The pizzicato of string instruments adds to the liveliness of the rhythm, and the woodwind and the brass colors the piece like a watercolor painting. After everything passes in a short span of time and the tragedy ends, the music returns to the sad and sorrowful waltz from the introduction. The third movement finale, Molto allegro, starts with a theme that is powerful and pulsating like the heartbeat of timpani and marimba. Starting with the fast and metrical exchange with the tone cluster of string instruments, a great journey begins. After free variations and development of themes, the flexible and distinctive second theme is played by string instruments. Passing through the cadenza of marimba, strings and marimba play a beautiful choral based on waltz, then return to the first theme. Last variation of the first theme ends, and with the solo of timpani, the music enters into a proper fugue, ending the piece powerfully and magnificently.

[Premiers]

- 29, November, 2015, Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall, Seoul

(Korean Chamber Orchestra, Marimba June-Han Munkyung, Conductor Ralf Gothóni) [World premiere]

- 02, September, 2016 Finland (Marimba- Han Munkyung, Tapiola Sinfonietta, Conductor -Ralf Gothoni) [European premiere]

- 23, September, 2016 Warsaw, Poland (Marimba - Han Munkyung, Sinfonia Varsovia, Conductor -Grzegorz Nowak) [Poland premiere]