City Research Online

Abstract

This thesis investigates music that engages with political messages and historical trauma. In particular, the study focuses on works by certain Korean and Japanese composers in the second half of the twentieth century. I examine compositions written about an uprising event notably in South Korea, the Gwangju Democracy Movement of May 1980. The importance of studying these compositions is that they speak truths about otherwise unknown and unspoken events and encourage rehabilitation to all who have suffered, directly or indirectly, traumatic, or political oppression. Through comparative analysis, I explore how composers use common compositional techniques to convey the same message despite their differing political stances and cultural differences. I also consider how cultural identities are manifested in their compositions to empower the message. Furthermore, as a performer, I contribute to this study to find out how a performer’s interpretation can heighten the experience and convey these messages to the audience. Such contribution is significant in that the performer, an essential bridge between composer and audience, can creatively construct ways of introducing and listening to a genre of music which can offer restoration and healing.

Text - Accepted Version
This document is not freely accessible until 31 May 2029 due to copyright restrictions.

Video - Accepted Version
This document is not freely accessible until 31 May 2029 due to copyright restrictions.

Video - Accepted Version
This document is not freely accessible until 31 May 2029 due to copyright restrictions.

Video - Accepted Version
This document is not freely accessible until 31 May 2029 due to copyright restrictions.

Video - Accepted Version
This document is not freely accessible until 31 May 2029 due to copyright restrictions.

Video - Accepted Version
This document is not freely accessible until 31 May 2029 due to copyright restrictions.

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