Hope Arirang

Blending musical elements both familiar and new, this piece reimagines the traditional Korean folksong Arirang. Featuring four soloists, four-hand piano accompaniment, traditional Korean instruments, and optional audience participation, a rich musical tapestry weaves together traditional cultural roots with contemporary stylistic elements. The words, written by the composer, reflect themes of resilience and hope in the face of adversity. A translation and phonetic pronunciation guide are provided. The piece calls for a Korean drum and taepyeongso; however, options for Western instruments are suggested to make it more accessible. Instrumental parts and the optional audience participation parts are available for free download from the publisher.