Uploaded with permission from the composer.
November 9, 2024
Korean Women Composers Concert
Musical Arts Center, Indiana University Jacobs School of Music
Jui-Lin Hu, flute
Rachel Burkhalter, oboe
Evelyn Hupka, horn
William Kim, percussion
Mihail Babus, percussion
Eunji Lee, piano
Yi-Wen Yeh, violin
Hannah Wendorf, viola
John Sample, cello
Collin Marbutt, double bass
Seonjeong Park, conductor
Eunji Lee, video
새야 새야 Seaya Seaya is inspired by the traditional Korean folk song “Seaya Seaya Parangseaya” (Bird, Bird, Blue Bird) using its melody as a motif. It is widely believed that the bluebird mentioned in this folk song symbolizes the Japanese army during the Donghak Peasant Movement. In the lyrics “Seaya Seaya Parangseaya, don’t sit in the mung bean field”, the mung bean refers to Jeon Bong-jun, the leader of the peasant movement, while the bluebird represents the Japanese forces.
The composition begins in a beautiful, calm manner, and then transforms into an intense expression that reflects the struggle of the people. It depicts the image of a bird (representing the Japanese forces) flying in the sky, with the people trying to chase it away. Towards the end, the piece quiets down, concluding by honouring the aspirations of the people and remembering them.