Korean Music Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Korean Music - Research Paper Example These sources offer more information pertaining to the music that was prevalent in the early days, although this has transformed over time making the present music contemporary in comparison to that from the ancient times. Currently, various groups have developed to direct to Kpop that has appreciably brought out transformations of the ancient music to music in the contemporary world (Allkpop). The attributes of this music give it the attributes of modern musical styles that bear no relation to the musical styles in the ancient times. Despite many transformations over the years, certain aspects of the old musical styles still exist to the current time. In accordance to Korean prosperous musical records that extended up to the fifteenth century, approximately six sources still exist. They hold over one hundred composers that offer the musical advancement within the Korean context a point of references. Korean music attracts interest to all people who may be students, musicians and mus icologist from different regions around the globe. This is because it presents some charm and beauty that is absent in most musical genres presented by other cultures. Practically, the pieces of music that still exist as well as song text have all been transcribed into different versions. However, these versions are still undertaken using the original tunes. Various pieces that were presented were undertaken as accompaniments or performed for court dances. Fifteenth century is deemed the renaissance period, since significant cultural advancements transpired during this epoch. Encouragement of developments in music and discovery of phonetic alphabets within the Korean context played a chief role in the elevation of the Korean music to the current state (Condit 13). This has been ascribed to King Sejong and is considered one of his greatest accomplishments. During this era, the music developed profoundly with the discovery of fresh arrangements of musical connotations. This arrangemen t or system enabled recording various components of the melodic and percussion instruments thus offering defined rhythm for various performed pieces. Progress in Korean music was achieved through continued interest that was shown by kings who succeed Sejong thus triggering refinement of notational systems introduced by the king (Condit 13). Consequently, music was made popular throughout the region offering it a part in undertaking of the Confucian rituals. Korean musical accounts commenced all through the fifth century and continued to develop throughout this interlude to the fifteenth century, which saw numerous developments in music. Colonization of Korea by their Japanese counterparts affected their music since it incorporated some Japanese aspects into their music. Splitting of Korea after WW1 is presented substantially in the music that Koreans adopted showing the divisions that occurred within the cultures. South Korea presented a vivacious and stylistically all-embracing mus ical verve compared to the other division that occurred after splitting of the Korean peninsula (Condit 13). Conversely, North Korea presented banal, which is official music that contained aspects of westernized style of light music. Korean customary music consists of various strands with the most formal strands being court, religious and aristocratic music. Court