A Study of the Trumpet Concerto by Jong Uek Woo: The Elements of Korean Traditional Music.

Abstract

Composers often incorporate traditional and nationalistic music elements into their works. Historically, they have explored what traditional elements are markers of culture and have tried to incorporate these elements into their music. Jong Uek Woo is a Korean composer who blends Western music practices with traditional Korean genres, modes, rhythmic patterns, and ornamentations in his Trumpet Concerto. He is one of the most well-known and prolific composers to utilize Korean traditional elements in his works. Woo’s Trumpet Concerto has three movements incorporating aspects of Korean Sijo poetry, Nongak farmer’s music, Jangdan rhythmic patterns, traditional Korean modes, and Sikimsae ornamentation. The first movement of Trumpet Concerto is based on the Sijo style of melody and poetry, integrates Sikimsae, and traditional Korean modes. The second movement builds upon the Nongak with Jangdan genres and the final movement is a combination of all the elements. This document outlines Woo’s biography and compositional background of the piece, describes and demonstrates the unique sounds and instruments emulated, and provides analysis of the Trumpet Concerto.