The New Year's Magpie Song 설까치타령 (2021)
Duration: 4 minutes
Instrumentation: SATB Choir, Percussion, and Brass Quintet
Commissioner: Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia
Performance History
12/11/2021, Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia (Dominick DiOrio, conductor) and Timberdale Brass, Philadelphia, PA USA
12/7/2024, Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia (Ariel Alvarado, conductor) and Timberdale Brass, Philadelphia, PA USA
"Exploding with vibrant rhythms and tart harmonies...," Michael Caruso, Chestnut Hill Local
Program Notes
Considering that this piece was going to be premiered in the Mendelssohn Chorus’ holiday concert, I wanted my piece to be about welcoming the New Year, both literally and figuratively, as well the new era after the pandemic (which we all hope is imminent!).
The first idea that came to me was to employ a popular children’s song in Korea that people sing on New Year’s Day. The beginning of its text is translated as:
Magpies’ New Year’s Day is yesterday.
Ours (of the human race) is today.
It is not very clear why the lyrics use the word “magpies.” But these creatures are generally regarded to be auspicious in East Asia. In Korea, there is also a saying that magpies sing to let people know about an upcoming (surprise) visit by good friends, family, or guests. So, magpies would celebrate the good guest (the New Year) coming ahead of us human beings.
As I continued working, I began to research New Year’s Day celebrations in various cultures – a fascinating pursuit! In some cultures, people go out to celebrate, while, in others, people stay home. Some people fast, practicing religious activities, and others eat special food, often in large quantity. Koreans, for example, eat rice cake soup called Tteokguk on New Year’s Day. In some Latin American countries, people eat 12 grapes on New Year’s Eve.
Amalgamating this information and these influences, I wrote my own text – some in Korean and some in English – and created a pseudo-folk tune that embraces various musical influences.
New traditions are constantly being made. (The aforementioned ‘tradition’ of eating 12 grapes, for instance, was, in fact, re-invented in the early 20th century to promote the selling of surplus grapes!) The Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia has a long-lasting tradition of presenting brand-new pieces, too, and I hope my piece will be an appropriate and enjoyable addition to it.
The New Year’s Magpie Song is commissioned by and dedicated to the Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia, Dominick DiOrio, 14th Artistic Director & Conductor, and generously supported by Mark Pinzur with contributions by Frank Cassel, Jon Kochavi, John Kohlhas, and Rich Tolsma.
Instrumentation: SATB Choir, Percussion, and Brass Quintet
Commissioner: Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia
Performance History
12/11/2021, Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia (Dominick DiOrio, conductor) and Timberdale Brass, Philadelphia, PA USA
12/7/2024, Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia (Ariel Alvarado, conductor) and Timberdale Brass, Philadelphia, PA USA
"Exploding with vibrant rhythms and tart harmonies...," Michael Caruso, Chestnut Hill Local
Program Notes
Considering that this piece was going to be premiered in the Mendelssohn Chorus’ holiday concert, I wanted my piece to be about welcoming the New Year, both literally and figuratively, as well the new era after the pandemic (which we all hope is imminent!).
The first idea that came to me was to employ a popular children’s song in Korea that people sing on New Year’s Day. The beginning of its text is translated as:
Magpies’ New Year’s Day is yesterday.
Ours (of the human race) is today.
It is not very clear why the lyrics use the word “magpies.” But these creatures are generally regarded to be auspicious in East Asia. In Korea, there is also a saying that magpies sing to let people know about an upcoming (surprise) visit by good friends, family, or guests. So, magpies would celebrate the good guest (the New Year) coming ahead of us human beings.
As I continued working, I began to research New Year’s Day celebrations in various cultures – a fascinating pursuit! In some cultures, people go out to celebrate, while, in others, people stay home. Some people fast, practicing religious activities, and others eat special food, often in large quantity. Koreans, for example, eat rice cake soup called Tteokguk on New Year’s Day. In some Latin American countries, people eat 12 grapes on New Year’s Eve.
Amalgamating this information and these influences, I wrote my own text – some in Korean and some in English – and created a pseudo-folk tune that embraces various musical influences.
New traditions are constantly being made. (The aforementioned ‘tradition’ of eating 12 grapes, for instance, was, in fact, re-invented in the early 20th century to promote the selling of surplus grapes!) The Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia has a long-lasting tradition of presenting brand-new pieces, too, and I hope my piece will be an appropriate and enjoyable addition to it.
The New Year’s Magpie Song is commissioned by and dedicated to the Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia, Dominick DiOrio, 14th Artistic Director & Conductor, and generously supported by Mark Pinzur with contributions by Frank Cassel, Jon Kochavi, John Kohlhas, and Rich Tolsma.