A joint performance by the Moranbong Band & State Merited Chorus

A joint performance by the Moranbong Band & State Merited Chorus For the participants in the First Conference of Chairpersons of the Primary Committees of the whole Party (제1차 전당초급당위원장대희 참가자들을 위한 모란봉악단, 공훈국가합창단 합동공연) Recorded: Mokran Video, DPRK In this performance the State Merited Chorus (and orchestra) really shines under its conductor Jang Ryong-sik (장령식). Their style with origins from the old Soviet Union is carried on with great care even surpassing in style and musical perfection. Actually it is a little strange that this kind of music would end up being preserved in the far east DPRK. Perhaps even UNESCO should entitle the State Merited Chorus as a World Culture Heritage for preserving traditional socialist music? The Moranbong Band on the other hand obviously have difficulties to get enough instrumentalists on stage. Nevertheless they put up a just as great performance as always with the help of a few borrowed males, dressed in all white (even shoes!). The girls however, all of a sudden have invested in new black skirts. Perhaps their newly rehearsed elaborate dance moves look better in less innocent black? This is the last time (at least for now) Pak Son-hyang (박선향) was seen on stage. They also avoid showing her on camera, indicating something had happened to her family, just as was the case for Kim Yu-kyong (김유경) in 2014. They were both still allowed to perform, even in front of the Supreme Leader Himself, but the old traditions of generational punishment are still alive in people’s minds. Let’s hope she has used her time off to get herself her own family. There is a downside of setting up a band of all females in their early 20s in a country where family and children are the most important. But, after a few years the kids will attend kindergarten so their mothers can start performing again. Let’s hope for a great comeback soon! To get more info on some of the songs click the links to where they were previously published individually. 0:44 Following our Leader and Party for millions of ri (수령님을 따라 천만리 당을 따라 천만리) 9:16 Medley You are Mother (노래련곡 그대는 어머니) 22:07 I know only You (그대밖에 내 몰라라) Music: So Jong-gon (서정건) 1987 Text: Jon Tong-u (전동우) Vocal solo: Choe Jin-hok (최진헉) This song was performed in 2012 with Yu Un-jong (유은정) as cello soloist: but here you also get to know the lyrics. It comes from the movie “Trust“ (보증). 26:59 Are we living like back then (그때처럼 우리가 살고있는가) 31:00 With pride (보란듯이) 34:41 We have a great Party (우리에겐 위대한 당이 있네) 39:05 High haul in the sea & Sea of apples at the foot of Chol Pass (바다 만풍가 & 철령아래 사과바다) 45:13 Oh Party, because of You (당이여 그대 있기에) 50:29 I sing in praise of the Party (당을 노래하노라) Music: Hwang Jin-yong (황진영) 2010 Text: Cha Yong-do (차영도) Vocal solo: Kim Kwang-myong (김광명) 55:58 We are the Mallima riders (우리는 만리마기수) 1:00:23 Advancing in socialism (전진하는 사회주의) 1:04:49 We will follow the path of loyalty (충성의 한길로 가고가리라) Music: Kim Yun-bung (김윤붕) 1972 Text: Kim Je-hwa (김재화) The flag at 1:05:37 with the characters ㅌ.ㄷ is the flag of the forrunner of the Worker’s Party of Korea established in 1926. ㅌ.ㄷ stands for 타도제국주의동맹 which translates to Down With Imperialism Union. In 2016 was the 20th anniversary of its foundation. At 1:05:59 they show the old Party building in Pyongyang, nowadays a museum. 1:12:19 Whether 1000 ri or 10 000 ri (천리라도 만리라도)