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Pianist Eunmi Ko’s latest double album, 12 Views on Life, offers a profound musical reflection on the tumultuous years of 2020 and 2021. Through two major projects, SPAM! for solo piano (and other objects she could find around her house) and Project GŪT for ensemble, Ko, alongside the Contemporary Art Music Project [CAMP], delve deep into the existential questions posed by the global pandemic and personal struggles with identity and creativity. Conceived for livestreaming from home, SPAM!, embraces the ordinary noises of domestic life, transforming them into an eclectic musical experience that resonates with the extraordinary circumstances of the pandemic. Project GŪT, inspired by the Korean traditional ritual ceremony 굿GŪT, explores themes of life, death, and the human experience through collaboration with four Korean composers.
12 Views on Life features a dozen compositions, each offering a distinct perspective on the human condition. Anthony R. Green’s whimsical text card-game opens the album with i am going mad (libs) that includes such spoken lines as: 'Now it is impossible for me to use my Segway or else I’ll get an 18 dollar fine. The police are fickle; they shouldn’t have cleaned that innocent person.' Seokmin Mun and Han Hitchen (paradoxically?) reflect on writer’s block, while all tracks reflect a personal take on life and death during those perplexing times. The solo piano works alternate with the Korean ensemble pieces bringing the two worlds and themes into constant friction. The result is a sometimes disturbing blend of sound and texture that challenges traditional notions of music and performance.
Reflecting on the project, Ko states, “With this album, we embrace the noisy and unsettling, offering a musical journey through the highs and lows of life. Each composition invites listeners to contemplate their own experiences and find meaning in the chaos.” 12 Views on Life is a testament to the power of music to transcend barriers and connect us all in our shared humanity. Through her fearless exploration of sound and emotion, Eunmi Ko invites listeners to join her on a journey of self-discovery and reflection.
12 Views on Life features a dozen compositions, each offering a distinct perspective on the human condition. Anthony R. Green’s whimsical text card-game opens the album with i am going mad (libs) that includes such spoken lines as: 'Now it is impossible for me to use my Segway or else I’ll get an 18 dollar fine. The police are fickle; they shouldn’t have cleaned that innocent person.' Seokmin Mun and Han Hitchen (paradoxically?) reflect on writer’s block, while all tracks reflect a personal take on life and death during those perplexing times. The solo piano works alternate with the Korean ensemble pieces bringing the two worlds and themes into constant friction. The result is a sometimes disturbing blend of sound and texture that challenges traditional notions of music and performance.
Reflecting on the project, Ko states, “With this album, we embrace the noisy and unsettling, offering a musical journey through the highs and lows of life. Each composition invites listeners to contemplate their own experiences and find meaning in the chaos.” 12 Views on Life is a testament to the power of music to transcend barriers and connect us all in our shared humanity. Through her fearless exploration of sound and emotion, Eunmi Ko invites listeners to join her on a journey of self-discovery and reflection.
Eunmi Ko is a pianist known for her innovative approach to music and performance. With a diverse repertoire spanning classical, contemporary, and experimental genres, Ko seeks to challenge and inspire audiences around the world. She is currently based in Tampa, Florida, where she serves as a faculty member at the University of South Florida.
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