Paik, Byung-Dong
Paik, Byung-Dong
Paik, Byung-Dong, Korean composer and pedagogue; b. Seoul, Jan. 26, 1936. He studied at Seoul National Univ. (B.A., 1959), and later with Fritz von Block and Alfred Koerppen (theory) and Isang Yun (composition) at the Hannover Staatliche Hochschule für Musik (1969–71). In 1976 he became a prof, at the Coll. of Music at Seoul National Univ., where he also was head of its composition dept. (1981–87). Among his awards are the Annual Korean New Composer’s Prize (1962, for his Symphony in 3 Movements), the 5th Wolgan Musicians Prize (1975), the 1st Korean National Composer’s Prize (1977, for his Zweite Streichquartett), and the Cultural Prize of Seoul (1983). Several of his works combine Korean musical traditions and instruments with contemporary Western instruments and practices. His style of composition tends toward strict formal procedures utilizing academic musical vocabularies.
Works
(all 1st perf. in Seoul unless otherwise given): orch.:Symphony in 3 Movements (1962; July 9, 1963); Cello Concerto (Oct. 30,1969); Stimmung (1971; March 28,1974); Viola Concerto (Oct. 11, 1972); Piano Concerto (March 26, 1974); Metamorphosen für 83 Spieler (Oct. 23, 1974); Requiescat for 3 Oboes and Orch. (1974; Feb. 11,1976); Youlmok for Strings (June 23,1982); Sansudo (Sept. 22,1983); Pogu (Pusan, May 2,1986); In September (1987). chamber:Zeite Streichquartett (Nov. 29, 1977); Sori for Flute, Guitar, and Cello (Tokyo, Feb. 26, 1981); Piano Trio (June 30, 1985); Zweite Kammerkonzert (March 11, 1988); Contra for Marimbaphone and 2 Percussion (Tokyo, June 21, 1988); 5 Pieces for Cello and Contrabass (March 9, 1989). traditional korean instruments:Shin Byul Gock (April 18,1972); Un-Rack (April 14,1976); 3 Essays ofGAYO (Dec. 13, 1985); Hwan Myung (May 17, 1988). other: Numerous works for Solo Instruments; dance music. vocal: Numerous works, including songs.
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire