ny in north korea

[ photo from nytimes.com ]

First, I read about the NY Philharmonic having a concert in Beijing's new National Center for the Performing Arts (interesting building I might add). Then...I read that they are in North Korea. Wow. The NY Phil are being welcomed to Pyongyang, North Korea - with 80 journalists and company (400 total). They performed a full program there - but also, the North Koreans presented a gala of performances that is meant to represent everything beautiful in the culture. The NY musicians mention how on the one hand, the dances and the presentation were impeccable and beautiful but on the other hand, it was sad to see the disparity between the luxury of that and what is actually going on outside of the gala event walls. I feel that music is so subjective - the way your interpret the music, the individual opinion you have about the music, the different feelings and emotions the music can evoke - which goes against all that is so regimented there. I wonder if there will be any affects on the country and its people...Well, actually, the North Koreans, who were present at the concert probably have been abroad and have been exposed to western culture. But I REALLY wonder what a plain average citizen would think + feel if they had the opportunity to hear the concert...
See photo slideshow of the trip >>