Seoul Goot - Korean Shaman Ritual Performance

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This unique album presents Kim Hye-Ran's magnificent Goot performance. Goot is a Korean shamanistic ritual done since ancient times to wish for a town's peace and a family's well-being. It's a symbol of Korean culture and shamanistic tradition. Goot mainly consists of music and dance. The main element of Goot is the female shaman, who sings and dances with food offerings. She asks ghosts to control the turbulence of life. Goot has a number of types and differs by region. The Goot in this album is the one of Seoul, which developed as a national Goot held in the royal court.

Seodo Minyo - Korea's Northwestern Area Folk Songs

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This album presents the most famous Seodo Minyo pieces by Kim Gwang-Sook's consummate performance. Minyo, Korean folk songs, is broadly classified into three types according to region, namely, Gyeonggi, Namdo and Seodo Minyo. Gyeonggi Minyo is traditionally popular in the central area around Seoul, while Namdo Minyo in the southern area around Jeolla-do and Seodo Minyo in the northwestern area (present-day North Korea) situated around Pyeongan-do and Hwanghae do.

Gyeonggi minyo is generally characterized by a lilting tempo and cheerful mood. As the music progresses, one feels happy and uplifted. Namdo Minyo has a relatively slow tempo and a crude, dark timbre. It's sharply alternating melody gives one the sense of deep, inward pathos. The Seodo Minyo is characterized by high clear nasal tones and fine vibrato, which combine to produce not only intense feeling of lament and sorrow, but also carry the power to express the joy and happiness in everyday life. In contrast with Gyeonggi Minyo, it has a slow tempo and pure, tranquil feeling reminiscent of a cool autumn sky.

Heung Taryeong - Korea's Southern Province Folk Songs

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This album presents duet performance of Minyo (folk songs) from southern province of Korea by Jo So-Nyeo and her sister, Jo Young-Ja. The southern province folk songs called Namdo Minyo have a relatively slow tempo and a crude, dark timbre. It's sharply alternating melody gives one the sense of deep, inward pathos.

Jo So-Nyeo is a representative performer of Pansori, a genre of musical storytelling performed by a vocalist and a drummer often referred to as Korean Opera which was designated as UNESCO World Intangible Heritage. She is outstanding in expressing emotion in her Pansori performance which is powerful enough to captivate any audience.

Gyeonggi Minyo - Korean Folk Songs by 7 Legendary Folk Singers

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This album presents the most famous Gyeonggi Minyo sung by seven legendary folk singers. Minyo, Korean folk songs, is broadly classified into three types according to region, namely, Gyeonggi, Namdo and Seodo Minyo. Gyeonggi Minyo is traditionally popular in the central area around Seoul, while Namdo Minyo in the southern area around Jeolla-do and Seodo Minyo in the northwestern area (present-day North Korea) situated around Pyeongan-do and Hwanghae do.

Gyeonggi minyo is generally characterized by a lilting tempo and cheerful mood. As the music progresses, one feels happy and uplifted. Namdo Minyo has a relatively slow tempo and a crude, dark timbre. It's sharply alternating melody gives one the sense of deep, inward pathos. The Seodo Minyo is characterized by high clear nasal tones and fine vibrato, which combine to produce not only intense feeling of lament and sorrow, but also carry the power to express the joy and happiness in everyday life. In contrast with Gyeonggi Minyo, it has a slow tempo and pure, tranquil feeling reminiscent of a cool autumn sky.