Western music in modern Korea: A study of two women composers

Abstract

The modernization and globalization of Korea during the fifty years since the end of the Korean War have brought a remarkable development in every sphere of Korean society. The emergence of female composers is one of the most interesting of these. This dissertation will discuss the music of two internationally recognized composers, Unsuk Chin and Jiesun Lim. It will do this through an analysis of one piano piece by each, 12 Piano Etudes by Unsuk Chin and Spiritual Dance by Jiesun Lim. In order to understand these pieces and these women, Korean traditional music, the one hundred year history of Western music in Korea, and the changing role of women in the society will be discussed. Part of the analysis includes the performer's perspective and suggestions on how to approach these pieces