In August 2005, Cho Yong Phil (one of the most well-known and prominent singers of South Korea) performed a solo concert at Ryukyung Chung Ju-yung Gymnasium in Pyongyang in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Independence Day of Korea. Cho sang his heart out and managed to pull a great performance in front of the Pyongyang audience who seldom showed any enthusiasm and clapped their hands now and then.
However, not every audience remained apathetic to the performance. The TV broadcast of the concert showed a young female audience who was wiping her tears with her white handkerchief. She seemed greatly touched by Cho who was throwing his heart and soul into singing.
The New York Philharmonic has just performed a historical concert in Pyongyang. The fact that the leading symphony orchestra of the U.S. was invited to the nation most hostile to the U.S. and the renowned New York Philharmonic performed in the world’s most closed society has drawn world-wide attention. The performance is being compared by some to the “ping pong diplomacy,” which marked a thaw in the U.S.-China relations. It is reported that more than one hundred of foreign journalists and TV crews have come to Pyongyang for the coverage of the performance.
The New York Philharmonic’s concert was conducted at the East Pyongyang Grand Theatre, which had undergone some repairing works prior to the performance. The concert was broadcast on radio and TV across North Korea and the world.
In an unprecedented move, North Korea allowed the Philharmonic to play the national anthems of both North Korea and the U.S. At the end of the concert, the audience called for an encore and the Philharmonic played “Arirang (the most popular and best-known Korean traditional folk song).”
In North Korea, only few people can enjoy classical music. Most members of North Korean orchestras such as the Chosun National Symphony Orchestra or Yun I Sang Orchestra studied music abroad at a young age, and have a high level of performance skills.
In fact, classical music is not included in the curriculum of North Korean middle and high school. Therefore, not many people would likely have enjoyed the radio broadcast of the Philharmonic concert. Some argue that North Korea is just pretending to open its door and the world is serving as a foil for the country.
Nevertheless, there must be those who wholeheartedly yearn for freedom of music in North Korea and the Philharmonic concert must have awakened their passion for music.
Inspiration from music would not directly lead to a fundamental change in North Korea. As long as the Philharmonic concert was able to touch the hearts of Pyongyang citizens, however, it will be appreciated as a successful performance.
