Description
Album Introduction: Kim Byung-ho’s Gayageum Sanjo
A Masterpiece of Korean Traditional Music
Kim Byung-ho’s Gayageum Sanjo stands as a remarkable piece of Korean traditional music, showcasing the artistry of master Kim Byung-ho from Geumam. Beginning his gayageum studies at the age of six under the guidance of Kim Chang-jo, Kim Byung-ho went on to perform with renowned changgeuk troupes, including the Joseon Changgeuk Troupe and the Im Bang-ul Changgeuk Troupe.
The Essence of Sanjo
Sanjo, a representative form of pansori-inspired instrumental music, is celebrated for its improvisational nature and expressive techniques. Kim Byung-ho’s version is especially notable for its rich use of sigimsae (ornamental tones), which create subtle shifts in resonance and wide tonal variations. The result is a dynamic, powerful, and masculine sound that demands both technical mastery and emotional depth from the performer.
Technical Excellence and Unique Rhythms
This sanjo is recognized among musicians as particularly challenging, requiring a distinctive nonghyeon technique to express delicate microtones. Adding to its uniqueness, it incorporates the eotmori rhythm, a rhythm rarely used in gayageum sanjo, which enriches the performance with a diverse and vibrant range of rhythmic patterns.
A Legacy Passed On
Gayageum virtuoso Lee Ji-young describes Kim Byung-ho’s sanjo as a style deeply connected to her own musical roots, comparing it to “her parents’ sanjo.” She emphasizes how every subtle gesture and hand movement alters the sound, offering invaluable insight into the expressive possibilities of the gayageum.
Product Highlights
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Performer: Kim Byung-ho
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Instrument: Gayageum
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Musical Style: Traditional Sanjo with rare eotmori rhythm
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Features: Rich tonal variations, unique nonghyeon technique, and dynamic expression
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Cultural Value: A significant contribution to Korean traditional music heritage
This album offers not just a listening experience, but an immersion into the artistry of one of Korea’s most respected gayageum masters.
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Clara Osbourne from Vancouver, Canada –
While savoring Lee Ji young’s latest, I found myself whisked away to a vivid tableau where sounds flutter like butterflies in twilight. Each note crafts a narrative transcending borders; you feel time itself fold into graceful arcs of tradition melded with avant-garde allure.
田中晴江 from 日本、大阪 (verified owner) –
韓国の伝統音楽に対して一見独特で重厚な印象を抱いていた。しかし、金炳浩による『伽耶琴散調』は、その概念をひっくり返すものでした。冒頭の旋律から、細やかなオ ornamentation が魂を揺さぶり、この芸術形式が生きている証明となります。彼の演奏ではサンジョならではの即興性と深い情緒が融合し、一瞬にして聴衆全体を魅了しました。このアルバムには過去との豊かな対話があり、新たな響きを感じられました。一度耳にすれば、その虜になってしまうことでしょう。
Luciana Trevisan from São Paulo, Brasil (verified owner) –
A riqueza do Gayageum Sanjo interpretado por Kim Byeong-ho transcende a simples apresentação musical; é uma imersão em séculos de cultura coreana. As nuances da sigimsae dançam através das cordas, tecendo histórias esquecidas em cada acorde. O domínio técnico e o sentimento puro refletem as emoções profundas que ecoam entre os rios han e suas montanhas sagradas, como um chamado para retornar à natureza mais pura. Comparando-o com interpretações ocidentais de música clássica onde a técnica muitas vezes sobrepõe emoção, aqui encontramos uma dança delicada onde cada nota pode ressoar tanto com alegria quanto com saudade.
Hana Matsumoto from Kyoto, Japan –
Listening to Lee Ji Young’s Gayageum Sanjo takes you on an emotional voyage. The vibrant tones pull at the heartstrings, reflecting deep cultural roots and timeless traditions.
Luz Marina Gutiérrez from Pereira, Colombia –
Esta obra de Kim Byeong-ho revive las emociones ocultas del gayageum, transportando al oyente a un mundo sonoro donde la tradición y la innovación se entrelazan magistralmente.
山口 明子 from 京都府, 日本 (verified owner) –
李志勇（リ・ジヨン）の「伽耶琴（カヤグム）三条」は、伝統と革新の絶妙な融合を表現しています。このアルバムはまるで大地に根を下ろした老松が静かに風に揺れているようです。金丙浩（キム・ビョンホ）が描き出す旋律は、日本の尺八や中国の二胡と対話するような一体感があります。その流れる音色には、人間の日常的な苦しみや喜びが鮮烈に浮かび上がり、聴く者を別次元へ誘います。ただ歌われた言葉ではなく、生け花の如く形づくられたアート作品。是非、その瞑想的な旅路をご堪能ください。
Soo-min from Seoul, South Korea –
Totally captivating. The melodies transport you to another world. Kim Byeong-ho’s skill is incredible, making every note resonate with emotion.