The Cornell Department of Music presents Ariana Kim, playing the Korean traditional zither (gayageum) and violin, and Young-Nam Kim, playing violin, on Saturday, April 16 at 7 pm in Anabel Taylor Chapel.

Credit: Erica Lyn

“Gayageum, Meet Violin” is a recital and discussion featuring a preview performance of a new composition “Apba Hagoo, Nah Hagoo” by Ariana Kim for gayageum and violin. Ariana describes the gayageum as a 12-stringed zither-style instrument, played seated on the floor with the right hand plucking and the left hand managing 12 moveable bridges and applying vibrato or pitch manipulation.

On sabbatical last year, Ariana spent much of it in Korea studying traditional Korean music at the National Gugak Center in Seoul. She says she “felt particularly moved by the earthy, honest sound of the gayageum, and chose to take a deep dive into that world.” After coming across a traditional folk tune called “Apba Hagoo, Nah Hagoo,” which loosely translates to “Papa and Me,” Ariana learned it on both the gayageum and violin and began to compose a three-movement work based on the folk song, which will be previewed at this concert. The tune connected with Ariana’s close relationship with her own father, Young-Nam, who instilled a love for the culture and heritage of his native Korea in his children.

Read the full story on the College of Arts and Sciences website.