First English book on gayageum master Hwang published in U.K.

A book on the music world of Hwang Byung-ki, a master of “gayageum” and honorary professor of Ewha Womans University, has been published as part of a British university’s musicology series.

It is the first book in English about an Asian composer who writes primarily for traditional instruments.

The publisher, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, is the only higher education institution in Europe specializing in the study of Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

The gayageum is a traditional Korean zither-like string instrument.

Entitled “Hwang Byungki: Traditional Music and the Contemporary Composer in the Republic of Korea,” the 237-page book is a biographical and analytical study of the Korean composer, his music and his role in the history of traditional music in Korea.

As a composer, performer, scholar and administrator, Hwang has influenced the world of Korean traditional music for over half a century.

Authored by Andrew Killick, senior lecturer in ethnomusicology at the University of Sheffield, the book draws on his 25 years of personal acquaintance and study with Hwang as well as experience in playing his music.

The book also includes in-depth analysis of selected works, excerpts from which are provided on an accompanying CD.

By Chun Sung-woo (swchun@heraldcorp.com)