Wisdom Resonating off Strings

Hwang Byung Ki was the great player of the gayageum (12-silk string Korean zither) who passed away on January 31, 2018 at the age of 82. He was also a composer and master of sanjo, which means scattered melodies and is a style of Korean traditional instrumental music.

He is credited with broadening the horizon of traditional Korean music by infusing diverse genres and fields of arts into it. Hwang debuted as a professional gayageum player in 1962 and composed "The Forest," which is considered the first modern piece written for the gayageum, in the same year.

The musician gained international recognition first playing in Japan in 1964, and in Hawaii in 1965 where he recorded his first album.

Hwang became a professor at Ewha Woman’s University, teaching Korean traditional music, in 1974 and fostered young talented musicians until he retired in 2001. He also served as the artistic director of the National Orchestra of Korea and executive director of the Nam June Paik Cultural Foundation.

I first heard his music 20 years ago and was privileged to meet him twice in Seoul. He exhibited a humble demeanor that was touching. My intent in this short piece is to highlight the message and the messenger from a 2015 interview on Arirang TV.

Hwang said when he was almost 80 that nothing is more pleasurable than learning. He went on to note how children are inquisitive and eager to learn, and so should people be as they get older. We tend to hear the importance of physical exercise, but the mind and body are connected, so why is not more emphasis placed on cultivating the brain as we age? Hwang was allegedly not a preacher, but enjoyed the analects of Confucius; one of which was to practice what you learn. He did this with the gayageum every day.

Photo of Hwang Byung Ki and I in 2006 - Seoul

He then noted that tradition is about preserving customs, but if you only protect old customs without introducing new, they become antiques. His understanding of this, questioning why there were no new gayageum compositions and composing such shows his appreciation for the past, but desire to push the boundaries into the future. His desire was to create something fresh like natural spring water and not fusion like a sugary soft drink.

He was also very passionate about the gayageum from the first time he heard and played the instrument as young boy after fleeing from Seoul to Busan in 1951 during the Korean War. Four years later he had the opportunity to go to college and wanted to study traditional Korean music, but there was no such school so he studied law. He worked various jobs even while touring and recording up until 1974 when he finally called playing this instrument his profession.

Hwang Byung Ki Performing

He reminisced that after the Korean War, many Koreans were preoccupied with modernization, which meant largely Westernization, and local traditions including traditional music or gugak were looked down upon. There was only one gayageum shop in the entire country and some 10 instruments were sold per year. These days over 10,000 are sold in the country.

One of my favorite compositions by him is for two geomungos (거문고) and is entitled "침향무". It is harmonically complex, is a moving piece of music that takes the listener on a journey and sends chills down my spine every time I listen to it.

Hwang also seemed to have a deep bond with his students over the years. One of them referred to him as a mountain, giving strength and reassurance whenever you look at it.

His legacy will likely remain for a very long time. His love for the instrument and passion for creating, composing and teaching the music that emanated from the gayageum is special.

Here is a video of him playing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niLSj65tpJI

Here is one recording. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ts2SOQBbTPs

Vincent L. Apa III

November 22, 2019