Moranbong Band full concert - For the participants of the 9th National Artists’ Congress

제9차 전국예술인대회 참가자들을 위한 - 모란봉악단 축하공연 For the participants of the 9th National Artists’ Congress - A celebratory performance by the Moranbong Band Recorded: 2014-05-20 Mokran Video, DPRK At the previously TV aired concert the original string quartet was still intact but here the on-stage leader Sonu Hyang-hui had disappeared. She was however present at the conference but did not give a speech. Instead Cha Yong-mi had to take on that responsibility and she is also acting as first violinist during this performance. What had happened to Sonu Hyang-hui is not known but perhaps she had simply been working too hard during the band’s first two years and needed some time off? After a short visit in Sept. 2014 she reappeared in 2017, full of energy. Singer Ra Yu-mi had recently been awarded the title “merited artiste“ which also is mentioned on screen. The term “pangchang“ (방창) originally meant a small vocal group singing commenting parts in operas without being visible on stage. Here it could maybe be translated to “small vocal chamber ensemble“. 0:00 Intro 00:21 The National Anthem (애국가) 02:14 Thoughts of love (사랑에 대한 생각) In honor of and also the writer of the lyrics to this song, Ri In-mo who was captured by the south side during the Korean war in 1952. He served 36 years in prison in the south until his partial release in 1988. From 1988 to 1993 he lived under restrictions in the south until he could finally return home to his family in the north in March 1993 where he was received as a hero. During this long time he held on firmly to his beliefs and remained truthful to the ideology of the north. You can see him on the backdrop. 07:30 Sound of horse hooves in Mt. Paektu (백두의 말발굽소리) 10:53 High haul in the sea (바다만풍가) 15:58 Thinking of the General (장군님 생각) At the performance of this song Ra Yu-mi was acting as Mother Kim Jong-suk waiting in the heavens for her husband, General Kim Il-sung. Here however she sings as herself mourning General Kim Jong-il. Interestingly the lyrics works perfectly both ways. 22:37 I will forever be your son (나는 영원히 그대의 아들) In the beginning they honor the brave pilot who when his cabin caught fire refused to shoot himself out because his plane was about to crash into buildings risking the lives of a lot of people. Instead he stayed in the burning cabin and made the plane crash on a safe spot giving his own life. You can see the burning cabin and his picture on the backdrop. 36:42 Voice of my heart (내 심장의 목소리) 41:15 Train to the front line (전선행렬차) 44:30 Medley of world famous songs (세계명곡묶음) 01:01:57 Dash to the future (달려가자 미래로) 01:04:59 Single-minded people (인민은 일편단심)