“a shamanistic and utterly visceral performance full of pounding drums, crashing gongs and wild horns” – npr
“Their pounding music was entrancing… spinning dance moves…seamlessly combined old with new, in a performance that encompassed solemn acapella chanting and energetic dancing.” – London Folk Magazine and News
Noreum Machi, referring to a performer who is so skilled that no one would dare to follow on stage, specializes in the virtuosic percussion music known as Samul-nori. This exciting music, first introduced to the West in 1978, is a modernized-staged adaptation of the ancient Pungmul-nori, famers’ ritual that had its origin in shamanism and animism. Noreum Machi’s colorful program includes spectacular percussion dialogues, haunting shamanic chants, and entrancing acrobatic dances.
Samul-nori (Samul means “four objects” and Nori means “play”) is performed primarily with four traditional instruments; Jang-gu, Buk, Jing, and Kkwaenggwari. Other instruments used are the Taepyongso and Piri. Each of the four main instruments represents different elements of nature: the Jang-gu represents Rain; the Buk, Clouds; the Jing, Wind; and the Kkwaenggwari, Thunder Storm. Yin and Yang is also reflected: the Buk and the Jang-gu represent the sound of the earth, while the Jing and the Kkwaenggwari represent the sound of the heaven.
Juhong Kim, Artistic Director, Percussion, Vocalist
Hyunju Oh, Percussion
Howon Lee, Percussion
Taeho Kim, Wind Instruments
Youngjun Kim, Wind Instruments