The 국립국악관현악단, an affiliate of the 국립극장 of Korea, will present the 최종 발표 of its '2026 Composer Project' on August 21 at the National Theater's Daloreum 무대. Five 신진 composers — Kim San-ha, Park Da-eun, Park Jun-seok, Lee Jae-jun, and Jung Ji-yoon — will premiere five 신작, the culmination of approximately six months of dedicated 노력. This event is highly anticipated to inject new 활력 into the creative 생태계 of 국악관현악.
Fostering Future Gugak: The 'Composer Project'
Initiated as part of the 국립극장 of Korea's "Value-Creating National Theater" 사업, the 'Composer Project' aims to 발굴 and 육성 차세대 창작자 grounded in 전통 Korean 음악. Building on the 성공 of the 'Conductor Project' (2022-2024), which fostered specialized 국악관현악 지휘자, the 국립국악관현악단 expanded its 중점 to 작곡 in 2025. This program now 발굴 and 육성 신진 작곡가 who will lead the 미래 of 국악.
This 사업 distinguishes itself from typical 공모 that merely solicit 완성된 작품 and offer 연주 기회. Instead, it provides 종합적, 실무 지원, including mentoring, workshops, and reading sessions, designed to 강화 the 창작 역량 of 신진 작곡가. A key 측면 is offering the 기회 to test and refine 대규모 국악관현악 작품 through 실제 연주. This 귀한 기회 helps 작곡가 bridge the 간극 between their 음악적 시각 and its 실현, a feature that has garnered 상당한 호평.
Rigorous Selection and Systematic Mentoring Shape New Works
The 공모 for the second cohort of the '2026 Composer Project' targeted 작곡가 under 34, both 국내외. From 25 지원자, eight were initially 선발 based on 평가 of their submitted 악보 and 작품계획서. To ensure even higher 예술적 완성도 for this year's 연주, an 내부 중간 평가 was introduced. In June, following 시연 and 설문조사 by 국립국악관현악단 members, a 종합적 평가 of each 작곡가's 국악관현악 이해도, the 작품 완성도 of their 작품, and their 발전 가능성 led to the 최종 선발 of five 작곡가: Kim San-ha, Park Da-eun, Park Jun-seok, Lee Jae-jun, and Jung Ji-yoon.
During the 사업, the 실무 멘토링 프로그램 was significantly 강화. 지휘자 Kim Sung-guk, who led the '2025 Composer Project', participated this year as a 진행자, guiding the 창작 방향 of the 신진 작곡가. Additionally, Son Da-hye and Hong Min-woong, the 국립국악관현악단's 2025 전속 작곡가, served as 멘토, providing invaluable 실무 조언. This systematic 지원 allowed each 작곡가 to develop their individual 개성 while integrating 전문가 통찰력, promising 높은 완성도와 완전한 작품 for the 초연.
Five New Perspectives Blending Tradition and Modernity
The 연주 will 초연 five 신작, each 약 10분 in 길이, reflecting the 작곡가's unique 시각 and 깊은 이해 of the 국악관현악. Part 1 opens with Lee Jae-jun's 'Shindorim Station, About Its Congestion', which translates the dynamic hustle and bustle of Seoul's 신도림 지하철역, serving 수십만 명 daily, into a vibrant tapestry of 국악 관현악 색깔. Next, Kim San-ha's 'Seomgeuneul' (Island Shade) reinterprets 선율 and rhythms directly sampled from the Jeju Chilmeoridang Yeongdeunggut ritual, conveying the 치유 메시지 inherent in the 'gut' (shamanic ritual). Concluding Part 1 is Park Da-eun's 'Boksakkot Noleum' (Peach Blossom Play), a 기발한 작품 imagining 외국 immortals visiting the 한국 신선계 to collectively enjoy 풍류.
Part 2 commences with Jung Ji-yoon's 'Yeokkeumneungseon' (Entwined Ridge). This 작품 utilizes 작곡 기법 from Honam Udo Nongak and Utgari Nongak, 전통 Korean farmer's 음악, to evoke the 여정 of ascending and descending mountains, a 소재 that deeply 공감 with the patterns of human life. The grand 최종 will be Park Jun-seok's 'Soeui Kkum' (Dream of Iron), a 작품 inspired by 'Bulgasari', a mythical iron-eating 괴물 from 한국 설화. It powerfully depicts the transformation of iron, long dormant in the deep mountains and dreaming, as it gradually gains 생명력 and morphs into a colossal creature, conveyed through 선율 that are both profound and at times ethereal, promising a 강렬한 인상.
