Hyo-Won Woo

Full biography Hyo-Won Woo

Hyo-Won Woo (1910-1988) was a prominent South Korean composer, known for his contributions to Korean classical music. He was born in what is now North Korea, and his family moved to Seoul when he was a child. Woo began his musical career as a self-taught pianist before receiving formal training in composition, first in Tokyo and then in Berlin.

Woo's music was influenced by the traditional Korean music he heard as well as European classical music. He is known for incorporating Korean folk melodies into his compositions and for his use of Western musical techniques to create a unique Korean style. Woo produced an extensive body of work, including chamber music, choral music, symphonies, and opera.

Woo's best-known works include the opera "The Love of Chunhyang," which tells the story of a beautiful girl who falls in love with a young scholar, only to face trials and tribulations as she fights for their love. Woo's composition blends Korean melodies and rhythms with Western opera techniques, creating a beautiful and unique piece of music.

Another notable composition of Woo's is his "Symphony No. 1," which was first performed in 1958. This symphony was praised for its “organic integration of Korean and Western tonalities and rhythms," and marked a significant moment in the development of Korean classical music.

Woo also made significant contributions to the development of music education in Korea. He was a professor of composition and music theory at Seoul National University and founded the Korean Musicians' Association in 1949.

Hyo-Won Woo's music continues to be widely performed and celebrated in South Korea for its unique combination of West and East, and for its rich and beautiful sound that captures the essence of Korean musical traditions.