Korean Children’s Choir

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33706, 2 December 1974, Page 16

Korean Children’s Choir

The Korean Children’s Choir, under the management of the World Vision Society, drew a fairly large attendance for its concert in the Town Hall on Saturday evening.

The society is doing wonderful work in caring for destitute children, and those singing in the choir are themselves children who have received such aid. The purpose of the visit is to bring thanks here to people who have already helped; and it must be hoped that appeals for further help will not go unheeded. The children completely captivated their audience, and gave a show in the first part of the programme of very high professional standard. Their voices have a lovely and gentle quality, of clear and unforced resonance, and at all levels keep perfect carrying quality. They have excellent balance at all levels of expression, and give the most subtle nuances with artistic grace and amazing polish. The training given by their musical director, Yoon Hak Won, has left nothing to chance, every detail of the fine perfornaces bearing witness to his devotion and consummate care. He and the choir were admirably served by the artistic playing of the accompaniments by Miss Chun Sin Joo.

The balance of the voices in quality and in volume always was most pleasing. There was lovely mellow quality in the alto section, giving warmth without a suspiciion of hardness, and the sopranos had wide variety of timbres, gloriously alive at all levels. All soloists sang skilfully, keeping excellent control of breath and of purity of vowels. Particular mention must be made of the violin play-

ing of Kim Chang Kyoon, a boy of 16 who shows imposing artistry and has a strong control of technique. He shows outstanding promise. Quite apart from the beauty of the singing, the children’s stage presence and discipline are noteworthy aspects, of the highest order, in their work. There is high degree of professionalism here. They have a confidence and a warm friendliness which establishes the strongest rapport with their audiences.

In a fan dance and in a drum dance, the splendour of the costuming, lighting, and sheer loveliness of movement had overwhelming effect. A Maori poi dance

and an action song showed the Korean children’s great ability at mimicry. Not a point of authentic style was lost.

Special praise must be given for the enchanting performance of the “Echo Song” by Orlandus Lassus, and a motet by Scarlatti which began the programme. It is regrettable that the second half of the programme did much to dissipate the good effect created by the work in the first part. There is no need for such a splended choir to be involved with the tawdry rubbish in some of the songs; and the canned accompaniments were poor in quality. — C. F. B.