The melody lulls and delights while the complex underlying theme of the piece keeps the whole together. The ear naturally lends itself to the sprightly melody. The light, distinctive, repeated phrases in no time grow into a leitmotif that makes a captive of the listener. It’s not Mozart. It’s not Stevie Wonder.
Instead, the hands behind these melodic tunes from “Wind, Star, and I” belong to David J., a humble 27 year-old conductor-in-the-making, who no longer is a stranger to fame.
A graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music, David J. (27) won the Sirius 2008 competition, a highly competitive talent-search event among a pool of various genres of music, sponsored by CREDIA. The honor guarantees a three-year record deal and publishing contract with CREDIA, whose clients include iconic Korean artists such as the violinist Sarah Chang, cellist Hanna Chang, conductor Myung-whun Chung, and pianist Lim Dong-hyuk.
Korea continue to produce world-class musicians. But, at the end of the day, the feeling that classical music is only for the elite lingers, and the younger generation becomes more a devotee of hip-hop, pop ballad, rock. or R&B. Getting one’s groove on with upbeat kinds of music is the favored choice of the current generation.
Public taste for formal classical music may be waning, but many Koreans still remain attached to classical music training. Korean parents, amidst their zealous effort to advance their children’s education, expect of their son and daughter at least a minimum level of proficiency.
At the early age of 13, David J. moved to Moscow to study music. Numerous honors and awards marked his success from Moscow to Vienna, Seoul, and ultimately to the United States. In Boston, several acclaimed recitals gave glimpses of potential for greatness. He promoted himself performing on Channel 7 for the TV station’s Christmas Special two years ago.
David J. not only seeks to transport his audience to another realm, but takes care to plant the seeds of hope in his sheet music. “In a search for remedy for present economic melancholy, I wish my music to soothe, to arouse happiness, and to cultivate hope,” said David J.
For David J., his trip to the “poverty-stricken” South Africa two years ago set in motion events that came to define his music. In a measured tone, he added, “There is a small seed. I forget to water it sometimes chased by busyness, but I won’t let go. The seed of my dream and my life is music that saves people.”
KAP recently spoke with Mr. David J.
KAP. Congratulation on winning the first place prize at the Sirius 2008 competition. Tell us about your involvement with the competition.
A. I was home updating my blog on Cyworld, then I saw the banner for Sirius 2008. It had the earmarks of prestige, and it was selecting musicians to represent Korea. By the way, before going any further, let me explain a couple details.
“Sirius” means a star. In the Book of Daniel reads that those who lead many to righteousness are like the stars, and I wanted to become that star by spreading the good news to others. And then I wrote a song wanting to evangelize, and the title was Sirius.
So, I was piqued to see the Sirius 2008 competition with the application deadline coming up in two weeks. One after the other, the pieces fell in the right places at the right time. Professor Moon and Professor Cha helped me with the recordings and application process, and I passed the preliminary rounds.
It was an adventure. I had to fly to Korea with two pieces, “Lonely Chaplain” and “Wind, Star, and I.” I didn’t expect much. It was more exciting to visit my motherland.
KAP. Is there any particular reason as to why you selected those two pieces to perform?
A. Well, for “Wind, Star, and I,” I wrote the song during my short mission trip to Africa. It’s a narrative of what I saw, felt, and experienced. The average life expectancy of Africans is barely 35, with so many life-threatening diseases prevalent in their lives.
There is a lack of available medicine and medical care. It’s saddening. But in contrast, nature was cruelly too calm and peaceful. The stars at nights were something of ineffable beauty.
The song, “Lonely Chaplain” was based on a story I created. One day, the Chaplain went to the playground filled with kids. The Chaplain played music for them, but soon enough, all the kids walked away and left. Then he realized that although performance in and of itself was entertaining and a charitable act, he had to play at the kids’ eye level, even tripping over the giant pit of sand.
KAP. You have signed a contract with CREDIA entertainment and given the opportunity to release your debut album with Sony BMG. How early can we expect to purchase your CD?
A. The recordings are scheduled to take place in coming June, and the production of the album and performance tour will happen in December that year. All of the listed tracks will be written by me, but I am still not sure how to label the genre.
A general portrait would be classical and jazz combined. The tracks are something that gives strength to those depressed, remedies for those sorrowful, and music that gives hope, happiness, and laughs.
Actually, this coming April, my second album Carnival sponsored by Universal Music will be out in the public. It’s a classic Tchaikovsky, Saint-Saens, etc. album. It was performed by a small chamber ensemble called Ditto, whose members are pretty well-known musicians like Richard Yongjae O’Neil. By the way, please help the halted music industry by purchasing an album. Also, we will be performing at Seoul Arts Center on June 27th.
KAP. You went to study piano in Russia at age 13. Were there any particular events that may define your experience in Russia?
A. It was a chain of mistake-filled and failed endeavors. I had to make all the choices and decisions. It didn’t come easy for a kid to start living by himself at age 13. After the collapse of communism in Russia, it opened its borders to S. Koreans, but there were not that many Koreans around.
Although I kept close friendships with Russians, there was still a default sense of insecurity of being a foreigner. In my adolescence, I was alone. But, what saved me from loneliness was the forest which consoled me greatly, the books which accompanied me and kept me busy, and Borscht, a tasty red vegetable soup which made everything all right.
KAP. It is interesting to note the various genres of music you are drawn to: Jazz, New Age, Gospel, etc., for someone who has been heavily trained in the classical setting. How has that integration come about?
A. It’s a way for those who fall short of excelling at one thing to cover their deficiency. Well, a different genre of music has different expressions. For instance, Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts, although they serve a similar purpose of serving coffee, both have a unique atmosphere unmatched by the other.
If I am really thinking in terms of serving people with music, I can no longer give only repertoires exhibiting artistic complexities. I must visit them on a variety of music. I want to be a composer for the people.
KAP. What is your ultimate aspiration?
A. I want to be a fisher of man like the Apostle Peter but with music: a musician that saves others. Music is helping me breathe. I am pursuing music so that I can live and heal myself. As Henri Nouwen said, in his book “The Wounded Healer”, I hope that the very music that healed my wounded self could salvage others in their struggle.
(C)보스턴캡 한인연합신문 KAP, The Korean American Press, 73호.
