As part of the Pittsburgh International Festival of Firsts, Tago: Korean Drums II energized the city with its
US world premiere show of traditional Korean drums with an infusion of
martial arts and dance. This Festival
invigorates Pittsburgh with never before seen shows from 30
international companies and artists that
represent 20 different countries. Tago means "lighting up the world with
beating drums". This was a show
that bridged two worlds with a night of
culturally diverse rhythms.
Reflection
Korean drums are used in folk and royal music. Tago's seven performers with impressive percussion,
sharp cuts in the beats, slow mesmerizing pounding, and at times lightning fast drumming
gave an eclectic sampling of this ancient art form with a modern twist. The drummers
exuded excitement for this art form with their animated expressions,
jumps as they pounded, and loud vocal "yahs" or grunts. Their skill
was intriguing to watch and a little sexy at the same time (see a video here).
The show opened with a light beam focused on one performer’s slow beat on a huge hanging drum that
resonated deep bongs. The company then entered
with various size drums, filling the theater with a variety of drum tempos. The lighting flickered among the drummers who often started their percussion
with a martial arts pose.
The show consisted of eight distinct pieces. Comic relief was injected when the players elicited some
audience participatory rhythmic clapping
between sets. The show’s variety kept my
interest as they played all sizes of drums and even a Yulgo, a square drum with
what resembled a xylophone on the top.
My favorite set was when “The fabulous
four” played traditional hourglass double headed Janggo
drums in unison and used a different tempo on each side of the drum. I thought, “ I can’t even pat my head and rub
my stomach at the same time. How do they do that!”.
The drummers had infectious personalities as they performed this South Korean art. Tago: Korean Drums II bridged two
cultures by communicating and introducing traditions from another world with only the beat of a
drum.
Don’t miss the opportunity to explore
more unique international and world premiere shows during the The Pittsburgh International Festival of Firsts which
runs until November 11, 2018. For more
information on the Festival see the schedule here.
Spiritual Source
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male or female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
(Galatians 3:38)
Spiritual Source
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male or female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
(Galatians 3:38)
Other sources
Tago https://www.drumtago.com/about
Tago https://www.drumtago.com/about
