Arirang

The Korean word "arirang" means literally rolling hills. Korean monophonic arirang songs have been sung for centuries throughout Korea, passed largely from generation to generation through oral tradition. In this arrangement, three well-known arirang melodies are utilized; they are "Jung-Sun Arirang," "Mil-Yang Arirang," and " Arirang." They appear simultaneously on page six. While most songs within this genre are melancholy, others can be joyful. The prevailing character of this arrangement is of the plaintive type. The pentatonic melodic lines have been largely preserved, although western homorhythmic and imitative techniques are used to create a polyphonic texture.