Renowned violinist Jennifer Koh joins Gershon and the Los Angeles Master Chorale to perform the world premiere of Mugunghwa: Rose of Sharon by Mark Grey Sunday, March 6, 2011, 7 p.m., at Disney Hall. With text based on the extraordinary verses of Korean poet and engineer Namsoo Kim, who fled from a North Korean prison at the outbreak of the Korean War, the piece was commissioned by the Chorale and is the fourth piece to be premiered by the choir as part of its notable “LA Is the World” initiative.

Also on the all-Korean program, entitled Stories from Korea, is a stunning piece for three choirs entitled Me-Na-Ri by Hyowon Woo, who is the composer-in-residence of the world-renowned Incheon City Chorale and is recognized as one of the most brilliant young Korean composers on the scene today. The Chorale also performs a variety of Korean folksongs, including a wonderful choral arrangement by Hojun Lee of the classic Korean song Arirang Fantasie, Hyunchul Lee's Dona Nobis Pacem, an arrangement by Ben Jisoo Kim of Hangangsu Taryeong (Han River Song), Jungsun Park's Dal-A Dal-a Ba-Geun Dal-A (children's song).

Mugunghwa: Rose of Sharon, written for Koh and the Chorale, is a story of courage and passion and based on writings by Korean engineer and writer Namsoo Kim. The work relates one man's spiritual path to reunification with his family, homeland and deceased father and blends hints of Korea's cherished musical and cultural traditions with Western art music to create a vibrant soundscape.

“Mark Grey is a composer for whom I have tremendous admiration,” says Gershon. “Audiences will love Mark's storytelling, his fascinating and accessible music, as well as the interplay of virtuosic chorus and violin solo. This is an extraordinary new work that I am exceedingly proud to premiere with the Master Chorale.”

Grey’s compositions have been performed in Carnegie Hall, the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall and London's Barbican Centre, among other leading venues.

Grey says, ”Jennifer, a Korean-American, and I both decided that a story that celebrates the Korean people should be the subject of the work. In Mugunghwa, meaning Rose of Sharon, the symbolic role of the solo violin represents a Korean shaman, traditionally a woman who links the spirit world with human beings. Here, the violin is performing a non-traditional rite connecting one man's spiritual path with the reunification of his family, people, homeland, and deceased father. The chorus paints a wondrous landscape with Namsoo Kim's beautiful and turbulent poetry. When the solo violin and ensemble perform together they channel the voice of Kim's father. Kim, who fled a North Korean prison at the outbreak of the Korean War, never saw his father again. Though not directly quoting traditional Korean music, Mugunghwa does amalgamate hints of the country's cherished traditional music and song with western art music to help create a colorful and distinctive sonic world.

The virtuosic Koh, who mesmerizes audiences with the sheer intensity of her playing, last appeared with the Chorale for a critically acclaimed performance of Tan Dun's Water Passion After Saint Matthew in March 2005.

Concert tickets to range from $19 to $124. Student Rush seats are $10 and are available at the box office two hours before the performance. For tickets and information, please call (213) 972-7282, or visit www.lamc.org. (Tickets can no longer be purchased at the Walt Disney Concert Hall Box Office except on concert days starting 2 hours prior to the performance.) The Walt Disney Concert Hall is located at 111 South Grand Avenue at First Street in Los Angeles.