The Korea Herald

Copyright expires on Bolero, world's most famous classical crescendo

May 1, 2016

PARIS (AFP) - Almost 90 years after it was first performed in Paris, the copyright ran out on Sunday on one of the most popular and unique pieces of classical music, Ravel’s “Bolero.”　“We are accustomed to say that a performance of Bolero begins every 10 minutes in the world. As the work lasts 17 minutes, it is therefore playing at all times somewhere,” said Laurent Petitgirard of France’s Society of Authors, Composers and Music Publishers.　“And it is likely that we will hear it even more now, i
‘Amadeus’ musical stars team up for duo concert series

May 1, 2016

Two stars of the international-hit rock musical, “Amadeus: Mozart, L’ Opera Rock” are teaming up for a live duo concert series in Korea this summer. 　Italy-native Mikelangelo Loconte and French musical star Laurent Ban recently wrapped up the Seoul run of “Amadeus,” the first time the production was performed by its original French cast here. The duo is scheduled to hold eight shows from June 30 to July 5 at the KT&G Sangsang Art Hall in Seoul. 　“Korean fans are unlike fans anywhere else in the
Eyelike: Beyonce, Rufus Wainwright, Jayhawks

Apr 29, 2016

Beyonce again proves to be center of pop universeBeyonce “Lemonade” (Parkwood, Columbia)Beyonce doesn’t simply release albums anymore, she unleashes events. And so it was this weekend, amid deep mourning for a lost icon, music’s queen dropped “Lemonade,” an arresting display of what technically qualifies as videos and singles, but is better described as a work of art that appeared deeply personal, yet is a bold social and political statement as well. 　It contains revenge anthems for scorned wive
Kim Yun-a to release solo album

Apr 27, 2016

Modern rock band Jaurim’s vocalist Kim Yun-a will release the solo digital single “Kyrie” on April 29, said the singer’s agency Interpark.　Jaurim, which means purple rainforest, had performed in the indie scene until its debut in 1997 with its first single, “Hey Hey Hey,” an original sound track of the movie “Man Holding Flowers.” Singer-songwriter Kim Yun-a of modern rock band Jaurim (Interpark)　Kim’s fans have long been awaiting her comeback, as neither the band nor the singer have released a
Epik High to return to Japan

Apr 27, 2016

Hip-hop trio Epik High is due to release the Japanese version of “Don’t Hate Me” on April 27, ahead of its planned Japan tour, the group’s agency YG Entertainment announced Tuesday.　“Don’t Hate Me,” a pop punk tune with the catchy refrain “Everybody hates me, but you love me and I love you,” was released in 2012. The Japanese version of the song is a collaboration with Gashima, a Japanese rapper and songwriter from White Jam. Korean hip-hop trio Epik High (YG Entertainment)　The revised version o
AOA meets Japanese fans

Apr 26, 2016

Following the release of its Japanese single “Give Me the Love” on April 20, K-pop girl group AOA has been holding events to promote the new song.　The group visited Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka from April 21-24, attracting thousands of Japanese fans. The promotion included a mini live concert and events that allowed fans to get close to AOA. The group also performed its other hits “Heart Attack” and “Oh Boy,” along with “Give Me the Love.” K-pop girl group AOA poses at an event promoting their new Ja
SM’s EDM label to drop first track

Apr 26, 2016

ScreaM Records, entertainment giant SM Entertainment’s electronic dance music label, will release its first song “Wave” at midnight on May 5.　The label, one of the agency’s new projects announced at the presentation show “SMTOWN: New Culture Technology, 2016,” was launched to expand the K-pop experience from just appreciating music to actively participating, said the agency. 　It aims to present quality music by collaborating with world-famous EDM DJs and producers, as well as with various artist
Unseen Beatles footage released

Apr 26, 2016

SYDNEY, April 26, 2016 (AFP) - Never-before-seen footage of The Beatles “mucking around” in a makeup studio ahead of a television performance, shot more than half a century ago, was released by Australia’s national film and sound archive on Tuesday.　The 49-second black-and-white silent video clip was filmed with an 8 mm camera belonging to Australian dancer and makeup artist Dawn Swane, who was working at Granada TV in Manchester, U.K., at that time.　The previously unreleased footage, from Nov.
Prince’s lawyer: Singer led clean lifestyle

Apr 26, 2016

Prince’s longtime lawyer called the death of the superstar a complete shock and said Monday that the singer lived a clean and healthy lifestyle, disputing suggestions that he had a drug addiction.　Prince was found dead in Paisley Park, his home and vast recording studio in Chanhassen, Minnesota, on Thursday at the age of 57. An autopsy was conducted, but complete results won’t be in for weeks. Police have said there was no indication of suicide.　Lawyer L. Londell McMillan had known Prince for 25
Chung Myung-whun to conduct SPO for Lotte Concert Hall opening

Apr 25, 2016

Former Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra conductor Chung Myung-whun is tentatively slated to lead the SPO in the orchestra’s performance marking the opening of the Lotte Concert Hall.　The concerts, scheduled for Aug. 18 and 19, would be the first time Chung is leading the orchestra since resigning last December amid a whirlwind of controversy.　“Having former conductor Chung conduct the Lotte Concert Hall’s upcoming opening concerts has actually been in the making for the past three years,” an SPO spo
Sechs Kies to make comeback after 16 years

Apr 25, 2016

Legendary idol boy band Sechs Kies may release a new album, 16 years after the six-member group disbanded in May 2000.　Sechs Kies, a first-generation K-pop boy band which debuted in 1997, held a reunion concert at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on April 14, as part of a project for MBC’s reality show “Infinite Challenge.”　The reunion concert was held one day before the 20th anniversary of the band’s debut. Despite the short notice, more than 5,000 fans gathered to see the group, with many showing u
Lee Seung-hwan showcases ‘Signal of One Billion Light-years’

Apr 22, 2016

Rock singer Lee Seung-hwan showcased his new song “The Signal of One Billion Light-years" at a concert held at Ewha Womans University Samsung Hall on Thursday.　The song is a slow-tempo modern rock tune featuring the dramatic sound of an orchestra. The track will be included in his upcoming 11th full studio album, “Fall to Fly - Latter.” 　The song has garnered attention with its chorus line “Let’s go home now, don’t stay alone in the cold,” which seems to console the victims of the Sewol ferry di
Music legend Prince dies at 57

Apr 22, 2016

CHANHASSEN, United States (AFP) -- Prince, whose pioneering brand of danceable funk and virtuoso talents made him one of the most influential figures in music, died Thursday at his secluded compound in Minnesota, aged 57.　His sudden death came just a week after the enigmatic Grammy and Oscar winner -- acclaimed for his guitar skills and soaring falsetto -- was taken to a hospital with a flu-like illness that he later made light of.　The news prompted a flood of tributes from the worlds of enterta
[Album Review] Ace Frehley still has what it takes on 'Origins'

Apr 22, 2016

Ace Frehley　“Origins Vol. 1” 　(Entertainment One)　The twice (and future?) Kiss guitarist has put his other-worldly spin on classic rock anthems he grew up on, including legendary tracks from Creem (“White Room”); Steppenwolf (“Magic Carpet Ride”); the Rolling Stones (“Street Fighting Man”); and Jimi Hendrix (“Spanish Castle Magic”).　The idea was just to let Ace rip on songs he’s loved since he was a little alien on Planet Jendell. But the result might just indicate he’s ready for a third incarna
[Album Review] Ben Harper reunited with Innocent Criminals for new songs

Apr 22, 2016

Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals　“Call It What It Is” 　(Stax Records)　Ben Harper is back with the best band he’s ever sung with, delivering strong new material with a group that has always known when to play hard and when to hang back.　Coming on the heels of a 2015 tour with the Innocent Criminals, Harper and the band have recorded 11 new songs that stay true to their eclectic past. They’ve done so on Stax Records, which isn’t the same outfit it was in its Memphis heyday, when Otis Redding,