Support for Decus Ensemble: www.buymeacoffee.com/hyunsangpark
Composer's channel: www.youtube.com/@composerpark
Half of the ticket proceeds were donated to the project of the non-governmental organization "The Hopeful People", which installs streetlights in the jungle of Cambodia.
Decus Ensemble 2nd Annual Concert with The Hopeful People
Violin: Hangeul Kim
Cello: YaeRyun Nam
Piano: Hayoung Jeong
Video and audio recording: Kwanhong Do
Text: Kwanhong Do (Administrative Director of Decus Ensemble)
Hyun-Sang Park has been composing music steeped in themes of spirituality, devotion, introspection, and meditation since his university years. His journey began with the String Quartet "The Vision of the Dry Bones" (2010), which earned him top honors upon graduation from SNU. Subsequently, his compositions have included "A Faust Fantasy" (2012), Violin Fantasy "Neul-Poom" (2014), "2 Meditative Poems based on Poems of Haein Lee" (2016), and two substantial piano trios composed in 2018 and 2019. Running through these works are common threads of highlighting the innate goodness within humanity, the evolution of consciousness from duality to unity, and the continual practice of goodness in everyday life.
The Piano Trio No. 1, titled "Angelic Poem", to be performed today, was crafted by Hyun-Sang Park as he entered his thirties. The central theme, 'angel', symbolizes 'inner goodness' or 'an entity striving to live in alignment with that goodness'. The composition commences by starkly juxtaposing and grappling with the concepts of good and evil within the realm of consciousness, culminating in the protagonist's ability to authentically manifest goodness in their daily existence.
The cello solo that opens the piece embodies the discord between 'ego' and 'inner goodness'. Subsequently, the harmonies played on the piano's white keys represent the 'unsullied purity of goodness at heart'. In the introduction, these two musical facets rapidly converge, briefly portraying the duality of good and evil.
Following the introduction, a profound cello solo emerges, conveying the emotions of 'compassion' and 'empathy' that arise when 'ego' is wholly set aside. The ensuing violin solo embodies the 'music of angels', with the melody gradually evolving from duality towards wholeness, symbolizing the expansion of human consciousness.
Nonetheless, the music abruptly confronts an intense conflict, characterized by extreme dissonance that seems to threaten everything. The violin and cello engage in a tumultuous exchange, illustrating the 'separation of ego from goodness'. In this state, even if one perceives the 'voice of inner goodness (the voice of angels)', it can be easily dismissed as it obstructs the pursuit of desires and imposes hardship. The strings mimic the 'sinister laughter of the devil', ultimately reaching their lowest notes, verging on the depths of despair.
In this moment, music reminiscent of a distant choral chant begins to play, synthesizing elements previously presented in the composition, creating a meditative ambiance. Commencing with the cello's rendition of the medieval Gregorian chant 'Libera me', the music gradually ascends, step by step, resembling a metaphorical staircase. This concept is influenced by various sources, including the metaphorical 'stairs' in Saint John of the Cross's "The Dark Night", the "Buddhāvataṃsaka Sūtra" of Mahayana Buddhism, Confucius's "Analects", and the words of French pharmacist and psychotherapist Émile Coué (1857-1926), "Every day, in every way, I am getting better and better".
At the zenith of this musical ascent, the three instruments unite to play the same melody, symbolizing the 'alignment of ego and inner goodness'. Following this, a segment characterized by expanded consciousness, liberated from torments, unfolds, signifying the ability to freely manifest goodness in daily life, radiating a luminous musical brilliance.