Young-ja Lee (; born 4 June 1931) is a South Korean music educator and composer. She is considered by many the greatest living female Korean composer.

Life and career

Born in

Wonju Wonju (; ) is the most populous Administrative divisions of South Korea, city in Gangwon Province, South Korea, with a population of 364,860 as of 2023. The city is located approximately east of Seoul. History During the time of Joseon, Gr ...

, Lee studied at

Ewha Womans University Ewha Womans University () is a private women's research university in Seoul, South Korea. It was originally founded as Ewha Haktang on May 31, 1886, by missionary Mary F. Scranton. Currently, Ewha Womans University is one of the world's largest f ...

, the

Conservatoire de Paris The Conservatoire de Paris (), or the Paris Conservatory, is a college of music and dance founded in 1795. Officially known as the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris (; CNSMDP), it is situated in the avenue Jean Ja ...

, and the

Royal Conservatory of Brussels The Royal Conservatory of Brussels (, ) is a historic conservatory in Brussels, Belgium. Starting its activities in 1813, it received its official name in 1832. Providing performing music and drama courses, the institution became renowned par ...

. She continued her education at the

Manhattan School of Music The Manhattan School of Music (MSM) is a private music conservatory A music school is an educational institution specialized in the study, training, and research of music. Such an institution can also be known as a school of music, music a ...

. Lee endured hardships during the Japanese occupation and

Korean War The Korean War (25 June 1950 – 27 July 1953) was an armed conflict on the Korean Peninsula fought between North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea; DPRK) and South Korea (Republic of Korea; ROK) and their allies. North Korea was s ...

, but emerged to become one of the dominant forces in Korean music in the 20th century. Lee was one of the six founding members of the Korean Society of Women Composers and served as the first president of the organization. She is often called the "Face and Mother of Korean Modern Music." Her works have been performed internationally and are available as recordings. Young-Ja Lee's music combines elements from French, West African, Indonesian

gamelan Gamelan (; ; , ; ) is the traditional musical ensemble, ensemble music of the Javanese people, Javanese, Sundanese people, Sundanese, and Balinese people, Balinese peoples of Indonesia, made up predominantly of percussion instrument, per ...

, and traditional

Korean music Korea has produced music () for thousands of years, into the modern day. After the division of Korea in 1945, both North and South Korea have produced their own styles of music. Traditional music () produced by Korea includes court music, folk ...

, creating unusual intercultural compositions. She is also noted for her particular mixtures of Western and Korean music.

Works

Selected works include: *''Pelerinage de l’Ame'' for Violin, Cello, and Piano *''Trio'' for flute, clarinet and bassoon *''Variations for piano'' *''Lament for three kotos'' *''Six songs'' *''Réminiscences de la Proven''

References

1931 births Living people 20th-century South Korean classical composers Conservatoire de Paris alumni South Korean music educators South Korean expatriates in Belgium South Korean expatriates in France Royal Conservatory of Brussels alumni South Korean women classical composers South Korean women music educators 20th-century South Korean women composers {{Women's-History-stub