The original scores for two symphonic poems by Ahn were named the Spanish ¡°Poema Synfonic ¡®Mallorca¡¯¡± and ¡°Lo Pi Formentor.¡± Although the titles of the two symphonic poems were widely known, their original musical scores were unknown until now.
Ahn¡¯s family in Spain found the two pieces when preparing his papers for donation to the Ahn Eak-tai Memorial Foundation in May 2005. These works were composed when Ahn was with his family on the Spanish island of Mallorca in 1951 at the age of 45.
The musical score of ¡°Lo Pi de Fomentor,¡± a 15-minute piece, features Ahn¡¯s signature, the composition date (August 22, 1951) and a short remark. Ahn noted in Spanish, ¡°I composed this piece of music with deep respect, affection and happiness. I dedicate it to Leonar Servera.¡±
¡°We only knew about their existence but they never had been performed in Korea,¡± said Hur Young-han, professor at the Korean National University of Arts. He assumes that the two pieces were previously performed in Spain. He added, ¡°The discovery of these two symphonic poems will be of great help in the study of the Ahn¡¯s works.¡±
In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Ahn's birth, the foundation plans to hold various cultural events that will honor the country¡¯s most prominent composer and conductor of the past century who led world-renowned orchestras, including the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the Berliner Philharmoniker.The events include concerts, exhibitions of his personal belongings, and publication of his musical scores for the Korean-born Spanish national. A number of his unpublished works including ¡°Mallorca¡± and ¡°Lo Pi Formentor¡± will be played at the commemorative concert at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul on June 26, 2006. A photo exhibition will be held in the lobby of the Sejong Center.
Although Ahn Eak-tai is highly regarded as the composer of the national anthem, his life as well as his musical achievement have not been fully studied and introduced. Moreover, his musical scores have not been well preserved. ¡°Aeguka,¡± the national anthem, ¡°Korea Fantasy,¡± ¡°Korean Dance,¡± ¡°Nongae¡± are among his published works in addition to the two symphonic poems that were recently unearthed. There are still a number of his works whose musical scores have not been located such as ¡°the death of Emperor Gojong.¡±
Last year Ahn¡¯s surviving family met with criticism over the issue of royalties for every performance of the national anthem. Ahn¡¯s widow Lolita Ahn, her daughter and grandson visited the Republic of Korea and bestowed the copyright of the song to the Korean people. The family said, ¡°The national anthem belongs to Korea. It is a public property of the Koreans.¡±
The Ahn family donated the scores of Ahn¡¯s choral works to the National Museum of Korea. They also plan to donate Ahn¡¯s personal belongings including his baton, photos, handwritten scores, and letters that will be displayed at a commemorative exhibition at the National Museum in October or November this year.
Born in Pyongyang in 1906, Ahn Eak-tai studied in Japan and later became the first Asian to conduct the Berlin Philharmonic. He pursued a conducting career across Europe, Mexico and the United States until his death in 1965.
By Jaeyon Nam
