Isang Yun Essentials

The experimental Korean composer Isang Yun used the philosophy, politics and cultural artefacts from his home region as inspiration in his work while borrowing from the language of the European and American avant-garde. Between studying at conservatory and writing his first works, he was active in the Korean independence movement and participated in humanitarian work. At the turn of the ’60s, he made a creative breakthrough with works like the orchestral piece “Bara”, which found Yun developing a personalised take on 12-tone technique. He was kidnapped and imprisoned in 1967 under accusations of espionage; Yun returned to society two years later and then composed some of his most ambitious and singular music, including his ambitious five symphonies of the ’80s and his searching, meditative string quartets of the ’90s.