On September 8 (2013) the London Symphony Orchestra will premiere a new orchestral work by Michael Nyman, Symphony No 6 ‘Ahae’. The composer will conduct the performance, which takes place at The Royal Opera of the Palace of Versailles, Paris. The symphony in four movements represents the four seasons in nature as depicted by the artist Ahae in his photographic work “Through My Window”. The piece will be performed to mark the end of an exhibition of wildlife photographs taken by the South Korean industrialist, known simply as Ahae.
Several hundred of the 2.6 million images taken by Ahae have been on display; all photographs were taken from a first-floor window of Ahae’s home near Seoul, which he rarely leaves.
The new symphony is part of a major series of symphonies that Nyman is composing which are intended for premiere over the next two years in celebration of his 70th birthday. Symphony No 6 is due to be recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra for release at a later date.
Well this is a strange one. The Korean artist Ahae is currently a fugitive wanted in connection to the recent Korean ferry disaster. He's an ex-crim and the owner of the ferry company.
I was just browsing videos recently uploaded by his followers (he has a cult) and was struck by the beautiful music accompanying this video. I was thinking of posting a question here asking if anyone knew the music, but then I saw a subtitle within the video identifying the music.
If interested, I've been gathering information about Ahae and his very very dodgy and criminal past and present over the last few weeks ever since it was revealed he was the man behind the ferry company: http://jmscult.com/forum/index.php?topic=994.0
I wouldn't have ever dreamt of sharing that on this forum, but seeing how a film composer named a symphony after him....
Never before has my interest in criminal Korean messianic groups so perfectly lined up with my love for music.
Wow!!! I had NO IDEA about this CD. It's on Nyman's MN Records label, but it's not listed anywhere on their site and he has never posted about it on his Facebook page, where he usually announces his new albums.
I have every one of his CDs, at least I thought I did until now, ordering this immediately. Thanks!!!
Wow!!! I had NO IDEA about this CD. It's on Nyman's MN Records label, but it's not listed anywhere on their site and he has never posted about it on his Facebook page, where he usually announces his new albums.
I have every one of his CDs, at least I thought I did until now, ordering this immediately. Thanks!!!
You're welcome. That's interesting it's not listed anywhere. Please let me know when the CD arrives. I hate to use you as a guinee pig, but, in Korea at least, his companies are all under lots of legal pressure with several arrests already and other execs are on the run.
I just emailed the LSO and Michael's rep updating them on Ahae's current status. This is just too crazy^
For those interested, this article from yesterday provides a good summary of previous events and the current stand off between police and Ahae's followers, some of whom are threatening suicide. If the history of another group linked to Ahae is any indication, they're serious: http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2989292
I'm planning to visit the compound on Thursday just to have a look around and maybe talk to some of his followers, provided the stand-off doesn't end before hand.
And the two pieces Michael wrote for Ahae are listed on his site, but the recording of the chamber piece isn't. It looks like Ahae's own site, linked to above, is the only place selling it.
Ilan was asked to compose a piece inspired by the artist's photographs, but whilst writing he became fascinated by the artist's process. In 3 years, he has taken 2 million photographs from 1 window.
I read similar claims on AHAE's own site, claims that were very recently removed. 2 million photographs in three years amounts to 1.2 a minute...from the same window. For 3 years? Now that's a room with a view, and hopefully a toilet bowl. I'm trying not to get too off topic, but I really find such insanity interesting and am astounded it's become linked to two film composers so far. I'd die if I heard John Williams fell for such utter nonsense^.
One of AHAE's sons makes an appearance at the end, Keith Yoo. I'm not sure which son that is, but both are now wanted by Korean authorities. One is hiding in Korea, the other is in the US. Korean authorities are reportedly seeking his extradition.
Wow!!! I had NO IDEA about this CD. It's on Nyman's MN Records label, but it's not listed anywhere on their site and he has never posted about it on his Facebook page, where he usually announces his new albums.
I have every one of his CDs, at least I thought I did until now, ordering this immediately. Thanks!!!
You're welcome. That's interesting it's not listed anywhere. Please let me know when the CD arrives. I hate to use you as a guinee pig, but, in Korea at least, his companies are all under lots of legal pressure with several arrests already and other execs are on the run.
The website seems to say the online store is run from New York, so we'll see if the legal difficulties in Korea have an impact on delivery.
I got a confirmation number from the website with my purchase, but the promised confirmation email never arrived at my email address...
I read similar claims on AHAE's own site, claims that were very recently removed. 2 million photographs in three years amounts to 1.2 a minute...from the same window. For 3 years? Now that's a room with a view, and hopefully a toilet bowl. I'm trying not to get too off topic, but I really find such insanity interesting and am astounded it's become linked to two film composers so far. I'd die if I heard John Williams fell for such utter nonsense^.
Perhaps he has an automatic camera rigged to a timer The whole thing does sound like nonsense, but if it resulted in another Nyman CD, especially one filled with lush melodic music like he wrote more in the 90s, then I'm happy!
The whole thing does sound like nonsense, but if it resulted in another Nyman CD, especially one filled with lush melodic music like he wrote more in the 90s, then I'm happy!
The funny thing is although I've been into film score for almost 20 years now, I never exposed myself to Michael's music other than a few pieces from The Piano. I think I'll take this opportunity to explore his music more^.
Update on the case: the Korean authorities are losing patience. Police raid is imminent. Perhaps the only music left to write for Ahae will be an elegy. Perhaps something along the lines of Ave Satani would be appropriate. http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2989337
The funny thing is although I've been into film score for almost 20 years now, I never exposed myself to Michael's music other than a few pieces from The Piano. I think I'll take this opportunity to explore his music more^.
Start with these pieces:
I envy you starting out exploring his stunning music
Thanks for those^. Well, I'll leave the upcoming arrest of Ahae alone on this board and allow those interested to follow the story on my site or in the news. Unless of course people here want to discuss the subject of composers being hired by criminal cults and if that's OK with Lukas, but I think I've said my piece on the subject...here at least^
And please let me know when that CD arrives. I'm imagining those offices closing this week, but hopefully they'll stick around long enough to fill your order.
And please let me know when that CD arrives. I'm imagining those offices closing this week, but hopefully they'll stick around long enough to fill your order.
Haha, will do. I've never bought anything from a Korean religious cult before, except for a couple of issues of The Washington Times I called the Customer Service line for Ahae Products just now, as I never did receive a confirmation email, though I can't honestly remember if I gave them my email address when I bought the CD. Anyway, there was no answer at the number listed on their website. Hmmm... lol
Anyway, there was no answer at the number listed on their website. Hmmm... lol
I'll cover half your loses^.
I just got an update from the LSO. The symphony was recorded soon after the live performance, but the LSO isn't involved with a CD release. The nice man who responded suggested Ahae Press (who hired the LSO) or the publishers (Music Sales) might have more information. I guess that Ahae Press have other things on their mind, so I'll try the publishers^. Suddenly, I'm super curious to hear this. Plenty more developments in the Ahae saga today. I won't go into them (i'll try to keep this music focused) suffice to say the term "Public Enemy No.1" is entirely appropriate.
Anyway, there was no answer at the number listed on their website. Hmmm... lol
I'll cover half your loses^.
I just got an update from the LSO. The symphony was recorded soon after the live performance, but the LSO isn't involved with a CD release. The nice man who responded suggested Ahae Press (who hired the LSO) or the publishers (Music Sales) might have more information. I guess that Ahae Press have other things on their mind, so I'll try the publishers^. Suddenly, I'm super curious to hear this. Plenty more developments in the Ahae saga today. I won't go into them (i'll try to keep this music focused) suffice to say the term "Public Enemy No.1" is entirely appropriate.
I called the Customer Service number for the Ahae Products store in New York twice today, still no answer. I also emailed them, no response. Hmm... lol
I used my credit card, so I can always just dispute the charge, but I REALLY hope I get the CD. It seems to have been on sale since January, according to their Facebook page. Would be pissed at myself forever if I miss out on a Nyman CD.
You will also be benefitted when [url=http://www.gw2goldfast.com/]Guild Wars 2 Gold[/url] you begin to buy coins as it would enhance your managerial skills, improve your decision making power, manage the team players, find their core strengths and eliminate [url=http://www.gw2goldfast.com/]GW2 Gold[/url] their weakness and find players with special skills to improve overall team's performance etc.
it would enhance your managerial skills, improve your decision making power, manage the team players, find their core strengths and eliminate their weakness
Would it? How fascinating. But would it tell me how much wood a woodchuck could chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood? That would seem to be the paramount question. If not, then I'm afraid I'll have to pass on the offer, if it's all the same...
It sounds like the two symphonies are re-hash of existing Nyman music like his string quartets and film scores. It makes sense to just "have" 19 symphonies in 2 years whereas traditionally it's more like at least a year to compose one.
I called the Customer Service line for Ahae Products just now, as I never did receive a confirmation email, though I can't honestly remember if I gave them my email address when I bought the CD. Anyway, there was no answer at the number listed on their website. Hmmm... lol