Cuban string chamber to perform in Seoul

The Korea Foundation (KF) presents a concert by the Musica Eterna Chamber Orchestra of Cuba at the KF Cultural Center Gallery in Seoul, Aug. 31.

The concert is the fifth event of the Gallery Open Stage 2016.

Led by Guido Lopez-Gavilan, director of the Havana Contemporary Music Festival and a well-known Cuban conductor and composer, the string sextet chamber will take the stage to perform a diverse repertoire, including classical and popular works as well as folk music selections of Cuba and Latin America.

The performance will be divided into three parts, with the first part presenting an overview of works by eminent Cuban composers from the 19th century, featuring elements of African origins that occupy a vital place in Cuba's arts and culture.

This will include Jose White's "La Bella Cubana," Ignacio Cervantes' "Danzas" and Guido Lopez-Gavilan's "Cantos de Orishas."

Part two will feature Moises Simons' "El Manisero," Rafael Hernandez' "Cachita," Enrique Jorrin's "La Enganadora" and Ignacio Pineiro's "Echale Salsita."

There will be an introduction of the four representative genres of Cuban popular music: pregon, son, rumba, and cha-cha-cha.

Part three will see a combination of Korean folk songs together with works by Guido Lopez-Gavilan that highlight the rhythms and characteristics of Cuban music, including "Caribe Nostrum," "Ritmarc," "Camerata en Guaguanco" and "Variaciones Cumbancheras."

This performance will be followed by traditional Korean piece "Long Arirang" with a vocal performance by Choi Youn-young.

The concert is free and will begin at 7 p.m.

The KF Cultural Center Gallery is on the second floor of Mirae Asset Center 1 West Tower.