Goddess of Jeju Island
Summary
This composition is inspired by the mythology of Jeju Island, particularly the goddess Seolmundae Halmang, who is central to the island’s heritage as its creator. The piece, based on the traditional Jeju folk song Youngju Sipgyung, opens with a ceremonial theme symbolizing Seolmundae’s power. The work portrays the creation of Jeju through music, with recurring themes depicting the island’s landscapes and ending in a celebratory dance honoring the goddess. Commissioned for the Jeju International Wind Ensemble Festival, the composition reflects the island’s cultural and natural beauty.
About Goddess of Jeju Island
Jeju Island lies off the south coast of South Korea. On this ‘island of 18,000 gods’ many of the deities in the pantheon are female. Most important of all, and at the core of the island’s heritage, is the goddess Seolmundae Halmang: in mythology, the creator of the island the personification of the volcano Mount Halla, the eruption of which brought the island into being.
This work is partly based on the traditional Jeju folk song Youngju Sipgyung (‘The Ten Most Beautiful Views of Jeju’). The composition opens in a ceremonial style with a slow, dramatic motive. This theme-which recurs throughout the piece-depicts Seolmundae’s size and strength, and the importance of her legend. Following the introduction we hear the Youngju Sipgyung folk melody, which develops into a powerful and moving section. The rhythm of the folk song, played on the drums and on a single pedal note in the bass instruments. Above this, a development section builds to a climax on a new melodic theme. The new theme, in honor of Seolmundae, gathers strength-symbolizing the eventual eruption of Mount Halla from the ocean at the goddess’s command.
Seven heavy sound clusters are then heard, portraying the creation of the island through seven shoveled heaps, with a trickling motif in the woodwinds depicting the creation of the rivers. Again we hear the folk song, telling of the beautiful views from Mount Halla. Seolmundae’s reappears with the flowing streams. Another rendition of the folk song in a more traditional style follows, which eventually gives way to a gentler mood.
The final section is a ceremonial dance celebrating the goddess: her theme reappears alongside a lively dance interpretation of the Youngju Sipgyung folk melody, a final tribute to the ‘Grandmother goddess, creator of Jeju Island.
Jacob de Haan: “This work was commissioned by the Jeju International Wind Ensemble Festival in South Korea. I was a guest conductor there for several times. I conducted concerts with the Jeju Wind Orchestra and the Republic of Korea Navy Band. It is a fantastic festival with internationally renowned wind bands”.
Performance Note
An optional 4-part mixed choir part is included. This can also be performed with a choir sample on a keyboard, provided it is properly amplified.
Options for performance of the vocal glissandi from bar 110:
1. They can be performed by the resting musicians.
2. They can be performed by the audience (with a run-through before the performance).
3. They can be performed by a choir.
4. They can be performed by a combination of 1 and 3 above.
5. It can also be performed without vocal input.