Flower Suite

꽃의 소리(Flower Suite) was inspired by the floriography of native flowers from Korea. This piece was written for and in collaboration with Urszula Rucka, a dear friend, and a teacher of the harp. 

I. 둥굴레 (Solomon’s Seal) is a common flower in Korea that blooms between May and July. According to floriography, Solomon's Seal means "Noble Sacrifice." People traditionally use this flower as herbal medicine or as tea. Floriography suggests all parts of the plant are good for human use; therefore, it been used as a substitute for food by Monks and according to folklore by "Xians"(仙人).

II. 무궁화 (Korean Hibiscus/Rose of Sharon) is the national flower of Korea. This pink flower has been the national flower of Korean People since "The Three Kingdom Period" by "Silla(신라)." The flower blooms between early July and late October. The floriography of "Korean Hibiscus" is "flower that does not fall," "delicate and ethereal beauty," and "strong and persistent vitality."

III. 미선나무 꽃 (Flower of Miseon Tree) is a rare flower found only in Korea that blooms in the spring (March/April). The word Miseon means "a beautiful fan." The floriography of this flower means "all sorrows disappear." In 1962, the Miseon tree was named "천연기념물 (Natural Monument) no.14."

IV. 개나리 (Forsythia) is a yellow flower whose floriography means "Hope," and it is known as "the messenger of spring." As the name suggests, the flower blooms in the spring (March/April). The flower language comes from an old legend. According to the legend, there was a poor family in a small rural town. One day, the father of the family died, and the mother was forced to take care of two sons and a daughter named Forsythia. Soon, however, the mother also fell ill, unable to work. 6-year-old Forsythia had to begin the streets to support her family. When winter came, the family died in a fire that started from their furnace. When the next spring came around, the townspeople noticed a yellow flower on the house site, and they call the flower "forsythia." The flower means hope as an encouragement to not lose hope as the family of Forsythia did.

V. 팥배나무 꽃 (Flower of Korean Mountain Ash) has the floriography of "fascination, and allure," and this white flower, high up in the trees, often attracts bees. The name of the tree originates from the fact that its flower looks like the flower of a pear tree (배) and the fruit looks red like a kidney bean (팥), hence the name 팥배나무. 

I hope this music captures the language of flowers and the tradition, the beauty, and the history of these plants that have captivated me since childhood.