Isang Yun Orchestra

The Isang Yun Orchestra(윤이상관현악단, Yun Isang Gwanhyeonakdan) is only one chamber orchestra of Western style in North Korea.

History

The IYO established in December 1990 under well-known conductor Il-Jin Kim. He gathered 42 effective young performers all over the country and named after famous composer Isang Yun. And they attached to an orchestra of Isang Yun Music Institute in Pyongyang.

In December 1992, a new chamber music hall named after Isang Yun (Isang Yun Music Hall) opened in Pyongyang and they became orchestra-in-residence of this hall.

IYO's principal conductor is Ryong-Ung Kang and concertmaster is Cheol-Ryong Kim. They also playing under Byeong-Hwa Kim, Ho-Yun Kim, Il-Jin Kim, Hong-Jae Kim and other conductors from abroad.

Repertoires & Members

IYO performs very wide and diverse domestic & foreign works from Bach to Isang Yun. Some members hold an additional posts of State Symphony Orchestra of DPRK and Merited Female Instrumental Ensemble of the Mansudae Art Troupe. Unlike SSO, they organize male & female performers equally.

Performs to overseas & Recordings

In 1999 and 2004, they toured China and Germany as a temporary chamber ensemble named 'Isang Yun Ensemble Pyongyang'. And they recorded five chamber works of Isang Yun for German recording company WERGO during 1999 tour. It was released same company and imported to South Korea a few years later.

And in 2005, South Korean recording company Synnara Music released four CDs which contains North Korean orchestral works performed by SSO, IYO and other music troupes of North Korea.