Riding the Winds and Waves (geomungo solo)

Riding the Winds and Waves 《乘风破浪》
- for geomungo solo

Composed by JunYi Chow
Performed by Sein Hong

Geomungo, typically plucked with a short bamboo stick, is a traditional Korean plucked zither with both bridges and frets. It is also called hyeonhakgeum (현학금), which means "black crane zither," and tradition holds that it was invented around the fourth century by a government official whose playing enticed the bird to dance.

Comprising three main sections, this piece portrays a journey of unwavering determination, as one courageously forges ahead against all challenges. The brisk opening section establishes a shifting mood where initial feelings of strength gradually yield to doubt and uncertainty. Following a serene middle section, which encourages introspection and the quest for inner tranquility, the fast-paced final section reintroduces a character that, while uncertain, brims with both fury and exhilaration.