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Friday, October 19, 2018

Day 302- Tago: Korean Drum II- Pittsburgh International Festival of First-Culturally Diverse Rhythms




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)

Other sources 
Tago https://www.drumtago.com/about