Renowned pianist and composer Yang Bang Ean will present Yang Bang Ean Piano Sketch with Kotaro Oshio on December 29 at the Cosmos Grand Theater, Guri Art Hall. This performance marks the first time the duo will perform their celebrated collaboration on Korean soil, fulfilling the long-held wishes of their fans.
Piano Sketch is Yang Bang Ean’s newly launched concert series, focusing on minimalist yet profound music. Featuring collaborations with diverse musicians in duo or trio formats, the series seeks to highlight the beauty of simplicity through musical interaction. For this inaugural performance in Korea, Yang invited Kotaro Oshio, a globally acclaimed fingerstyle guitarist, as the first guest collaborator.
Kotaro Oshio, best known for his signature piece Twilight, is celebrated for his innovative guitar techniques, including open tuning and tapping. His ability to produce intricate arrangements and evoke warm, subtle emotions through his guitar has earned him a prominent reputation. Oshio has performed solo and collaborative shows across Asia and at international venues such as the Montreux Jazz Festival.
Yang Bang Ean and Kotaro Oshio share a history of artistic synergy. In 2018, Oshio composed KUON JeongSeon Arirang Variation at Yang’s request, featured in Yang’s PyeongChang Winter Olympics album Echoes for Pyeongchang. The two artists also performed together during Yang’s Utopia concerts in 2017 and 2018, captivating Korean audiences. Previously, their duo performances were exclusive to Japan, but consistent requests from Korean fans have finally brought the collaboration to Korea.
The upcoming performance will include a diverse repertoire, blending both artists’ signature pieces and beloved classics. Highlights include KUON JeongSeon Arirang Variation, Oshio’s Twilight and Big Blue Ocean, Ryuichi Sakamoto’s Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence, Yang’s iconic Frontier—the 2002 Busan Asian Games official theme song—and Twelve Fantasia, a track from the anime The Twelve Kingdoms.
Yang Bang Ean, a physician-turned-composer and music producer, has been a prominent figure in the music industry since his debut in Japan in 1996. Known for his ability to blend Eastern and Western sounds across genres such as rock, jazz, classical, traditional Korean music, and world music, he has left an indelible mark on global music. His achievements include composing Frontier for the 2002 Busan Asian Games, performing Arirang Fantasy at the 2013 Korean Presidential Inauguration, and serving as Artistic Director for the Yeowoorak Festival from 2013 to 2015. Yang also served as Music Director for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics and continues to collaborate on films, documentaries, and games.
Yang Bang Ean Piano Sketch with Kotaro Oshio promises to be a memorable evening of musical fusion and artistic collaboration. Tickets for the December 29 performance at Guri Art Hall’s Cosmos Grand Theater are available through Interpark Ticket.
Sayart / Sharon Jung, guhuijeong784@gmail.com
