Kim Tschang-yeul's "Waterdrops" (1979) / Courtesy of Gallery Hyundai By Soojin Han Violinist Soojin Han Recently, I encountered the works of two eminent Korean artists, Kim Tschang-yeul and Nam Sang-woon, who both feature water drops as a central theme in their art. While sharing a common theme, their respective interpretations of these simple droplets are strikingly different, each reflecting the artist's unique life experiences and philosophies. For Kim, waterdrops primarily symbolize "cleansing," a process of eradicating the cruelty and sadness in the world from mankind’s memory.
On the other hand, for Nam, the same water drops hold an altogether different meaning — family. Having often observed lotus leaves close up during his childhood, he recalls how droplets would form on the surface of the leaves, and as the number of droplets grew, the leaf would bend, causing the drops to merge and eventually roll off. Nam likens this to a father (the leaf) nurturing his children, who, when the time comes, will "roll off" into the world.
Just as Kim and Nam project their personal experiences and worldviews through their art, classical musicians bring their unique interpretations to the compositions they perform. The sheet music serves as a blueprint, a letter from the composer, but it is the performer’s individual voice and expression that bring the piece to life. This interpretative act is akin to seeing the world in a drop of water, where each note and phrase is colored by the musician’s personal touch and understanding of the work through his or her prism, bringing to mind William Blake’s words, “To see a World in a Grain of Sand.
And Heaven in a wild Flower.” Here is an example of how as a performer, one can interpret waterdrops, or raindrops, portrayed in Johannes Brahms’ First Violin Sonata, the third movement, which is titled "Regenlied" (Rain Song). The lyrics of the original first Lied, which the sonata is based on, can be compared to the gentle, cleansing water drops of Kim, with an allusion to "heaven’s dew.
" The violin melody soars above the pitter-patter of raindrops in the piano part, each phrase purifying and renewing the listener’s spirit. However, as in much of Brahms’ music, there is a bittersweet quality underlying the flowing character that is manifested in the second Lied, "Nachklang," referenced by Brahms. The lyrics read: “Raindrops from the trees Fall into the green grass, Tears from my sad eyes Moisten my cheeks.
When the sun shines again, The grass gleams twice as green: Twice as ardently on my cheeks My scalding tears will glow.” As the brightness of the sun reflects on the raindrops, making the colors of nature doubly vivid, so do the "major key" inflections in Brahms’ music make the sadness of his loss, the death of his beloved godson Felix Schumann, doubly painful. The last movement of this sonata became such a favorite of Clara Schumann’s that she expressed a wish for it to accompany her on the journey from this world into the next.
The solace Brahms offered her at such a sorrowful time lends the work a familial bond, comparable to the water drops of Nam, symbolizing the intricate dynamics of family and the process of nurturing and releasing. Just as Nam’s droplets gather and roll off the leaf, Brahms' water drops gently sending Felix Schumann off, not into the world, but to the afterworld. Entire perspectives of the world in a drop of water.
This phrase captures the essence of what artists and performers alike strive to achieve. They distill human experiences into singular moments, whether through visual arts or music. By incorporating their personal narratives and emotional landscapes into their performances, classical musicians, like visual artists, offer audiences a glimpse into the depths of the human experience, revealing new dimensions in and bringing to life well-known pieces and creating a shared space for reflection and connection.
By bridging people and providing solace in a world often marked by conflict and division, they play an invaluable role in our society. Standing as beacons, they project their visions and experiences in ways that contribute towards the greater good. Even those not professionally involved in the arts would benefit from occasionally contemplating a single drop of water, recognizing that each person’s unique experiences, refracted through life’s prism, contribute something valuable to our collective journey.
When these individual “drops” merge and flow together, they hold the potential to positively transform the world. Soojin Han is a violinist known for her expressive playing and instrumental mastery. Born in Korea and raised in the U.
K., she has performed as a soloist with esteemed orchestras such as the London Symphony and Tokyo Philharmonic. She has received accolades in international competitions, including the Wieniawski International Violin Competition.
In addition, she serves as a cultural representative for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, holding key positions on the Board of Advisors for Cultural Exchange and the Preparatory Committee of the Pacific Islands Summit..
