''Hyangak'', literally "indigenous/native music, folks music" is a traditional form of
Korean court music
Korean court music () comprises three main musical genres: ''aak'', an imported form of Chinese ritual music; a pure Korean form called ''hyangak''; and a combination of Chinese and Korean styles called ''dangak''.
Korean court music and its hi ...
with origins in the
Three Kingdoms period (57 BC – 668 AD). It is often accompanied by traditional
folk dances of
Korea
Korea is a peninsular region in East Asia consisting of the Korean Peninsula, Jeju Island, and smaller islands. Since the end of World War II in 1945, it has been politically Division of Korea, divided at or near the 38th parallel north, 3 ...
, known as ''hyangak jeongjae''. These dances are performed in front of audiences—as opposed to the
square dance more familiar to Westerners, which is primarily for the participants' enjoyment.
One important ''hyangak'' piece is ''
Yeomillak'' (hangul: 여민락; hanja:
與 民 樂). Few ''hyangak'' pieces are performed in Chinese style; these include ''Pollyeong'', ''Haeryeong'' (hangul: 해령; hanja:
解 令), and ''Poheoja''
History
During the Unified Silla Period, Hyangak began to be used as a symmetrical concept with dangak. At that time, Hyangak included both native music from the Korean Peninsula and foreign music that had been adopted before the unified Silla Dynasty.
The literature of the Goryeo Dynasty often referred to Korean traditional court music as 'Sokak' rather than 'Hyangak'. During the Goryeo Dynasty, the musical instruments Of Hyangak were composed of Samhyeon and Samjook, which were handed over from the unified Silla, and foreign instruments such as janggu, haegeum, and flute.
In the Joseon Dynasty, Hyangak, and Dangak were influenced musically by one another. Hyangak, the early Joseon Dynasty, was part of a project to honor the historical legitimacy of Joseon and the new dynasty. Since the mid-sized Joseon Dynasty, the contents of the music have changed as the music changed like Hyangak, and the distinction between Hyanggak and Dangak was blurred even when using musical instruments.
See also
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Aak
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Culture of Korea
The traditional culture of Korea is the shared cultural and historical heritage of Korea before the division of Korea in 1945.
Since the mid-20th century, Korea has been split between the North Korean and South Korean sovereign state, stat ...
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Dangak
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Gagaku
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Korean music
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Nhã nhạc
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Yayue
References
External links
Historical article
Korean styles of music
Korean court music
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