Dr. Jaehwa Lee

Dr. Jaehwa Lee (a.k.a. Bohyun Lee) is a Living Human Treasure of South Korea and the holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property No. 16 (Geomungo Sanjo) of South Korea. She earned her BA and MA from the Department of Korean Traditional Music, College of Music at Seoul National University and the Ph.D. in musicology on the performance of Gemungo, Graduate School at Hanyang University. She is a professor of the Department of Korean Traditional Music, College of Music at Chugye University for the Arts and the President of Han gap-deuk style of Geomungo Sanjo Preservation Society and Yimjeon Geomoongo Society. She has performed more than 33 solo recitals in major recitals and music halls around the World including La Maison des Cultures du Monde in Paris, France and six concertos. Her major achievements include restoration of North Korean Geomungo Sanjo and performance of complete Han Gap-deuk style of Geomungo sanjo (88 minutes). She also premiered “Yeongsanhoesang” of Yi sugyeong and Kim Sang-gi’s lineage. She has actively participated in broadening Korean music by modifying traditional Geomungo. She invented a new Geomungo called Hwahyeongeum and composed six pieces for her new Geomungo, one of which is “Hyeonghakraemu”. She has published her book titled “The World of Han Gap-deuk style Geomungo School” and several academic papers. Her records of music were released by EMI, INEDIT (La Masion des Cultures du Monde label) as well as Korean recording labels. She was awarded KBS Gugak Great Award String Division Award and Group Performance Award.

Geomnungo Concert by Dr. Jaehwa Lee


Poongyu Nmabook: the first performance of North Korean Geomungo music with sheet music

  • Baetnorae (Boatman’s song); arr. Youngae Han. 1964.
  • Bakyunpokpo (Bakyun waterfall); arr. Yongsil Kim. 1964.
  • Yumwon (Wish); comp. Yongsil Kim. 1962.
  • Nongchonpoongkyung (Rural scenery); comp. Yongsil Kim. 1963.
  • Hwimori (a quick, energetic 2-beat rhythm); arr. Yongsil Kim. 1962.
  • Chollima Jingoon (Chollima movement); arr. Yongsil Kim. 1962.

Intermission


South Korean Geomungo Sanjo orally transmitted and cherished by Master Gapdeuk Han

  • Daseorum (tuning up)
  • Jinyangjo (the first movement in Sanjo; the slowest rhythm)
  • Jungmori (the second movement; the moderate drive or rhythm)
  • Eotmori
  • Jungjungmori (the third movement)
  • Jajinmori (the fourth movement; the fast drive)