4000-YEAR-OLD MUSIC OF KOREA. AS PLAYED ONLY BY ROYAL BAND. WILL BE RECORDED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18586, 11 October 1928, Page 6

4000-YEAR-OLD MUSIC OF KOREA. AS PLAYED ONLY BY ROYAL BAND. WILL BE RECORDED.

TOKYO. The classical music of Korea, presen', ed almost intact for 4000 years by the musicians of the Korean Court, is now to be perpetuated on a record and an effort made to popularise it with the Korean public in general. Authorities in Korea assert that the music found its inspiration in the Chinese music of that period, which has long since vanished. Its popularity in Korea itself waned many centuries ago, and it would have disappeared entirely, had not the Kings of Korea maintained a special band of musicians especially for the purpose of playing these ancient airs. Prince Yi, the successor to the Korean Royal Family, has

, continued this custom. Kecently music lovers have devoted much time and attention to the study of this ancient music, particularly as regards its ethical beauty. In order to revive the music and again bring it into general use, an American concern has made arrangements with Prince Yi’s household to have his orchestra play for records. Fifty records arc to be made as a first, step, covering 71 compositions, 189 tunes and 52 dance tunes. Seventy-one instruments, all of them archaic, will be used. The company is to pay Prince Yi’s household department 500 dollars annually as long as the contract lasts, and present it with one or more of every record made.