Kaggok (Korean Art Songs) Its Origin and Development

Graduate Thesis Or Dissertation

Citations

Citeable URL: https://scholar.colorado.edu/concern/graduate_thesis_or_dissertations/5425kc26p

Abstract

Today, I would like to discuss the various stages of Kaggok, which are Korean art songs written in western classical music style. Since Korea did not open its culture to the Western world until 1882, music in Korea was based on their own traditions. In other words, scales, rhythms, and harmony in Korean music were set up independently within its own tradition, the result of which meant that traditional Korean music sounds completely different and cannot be played properly using western instruments. The only exceptions to this were the influences from the various missionaries who brought western music to Korea, as well as the occupation of Japan in Korea (beginning in 1910). The western culture Japan had already encountered was unavoidably brought with them into Korea. As a result, western styles of singing began to replace traditional technique. Indeed even composition was influenced by western music conventions. People began to mix Korean text with melodies from westernized music. These are the origins of Kaggok.

Creator