The Day the Symphonic Fantasy Korea Was Played

On February 20, 1938 conductor/composer Ahn Eak-tai debuted his latest masterpiece at Gaiety Theater at the invitation of the Ireland Radio Orchestra. Starting with the sentimental melody depicting the foundation of nation, the epic piece, the Symphonic Fantasy Korea, celebrates Korea’s independence after long dark days of foreign invasion and resistance. Although it was Ahn’s first time playing the piece in public, his skillful and passionate leadership and the chorus of “Aegukga” in the finale deeply impressed the audience. From then on until Korea’s liberation in 1945 Ahn included the Symphonic Fantasy Korea in his repertoire whenever he was asked to perform. Although Korea was still under the Japanese colonial rule, the music to become Korea’s national anthem was being played all over the world.

Musical Prodigy Ventures into the World

Born in Pyongyang on December 5, 1906, Ahn was exposed to music from early on thanks to his wealthy parents who ran a prosperous inn. A violin his brother brought him from Japan set him on the path toward a musical career. Ahn was so talented that he was called a musical prodigy. He learned how to play the trumpet in Pyongyang Jong-ro General School in 1914 and became a part of the Sungshil Middle School Orchestra in Pyongyang.

But while he was in middle school, the March 1st Civil Movement took place. He participated in the nationwide uprising, which promptly led to his expulsion from school. He was forced to move to Japan and enrolled in Seisoku Middle School in Tokyo on a musical scholarship. After graduating from middle school, he entered the Kunitachi Music School and majored in cello.

Ahn was such a gifted musician that he held solo performances in Seoul and Pyongyang during his break from school. In 1930 he went to the United States to study cello and composition at the University of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and later on transferred to the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. But it was at a small Korean church in San Francisco that he experienced a turning point in life.

Composing the Korean National Anthem

Ahn saw how Koreans there eased their homesickness by singing “Auld Lang Syne.” Ahn started composing “Aegukga,” frustrated that Korean immigrants had no other song but a Scottish folk song to express their longing. Part one of the music was completed in 1935 when he graduated from the Curtis Institute of Music.

In the following year he moved to Vienna, Austria to train under the tutelage of Maestro Felix Weingartner. Ahn’s commitment to composing Korea’s national anthem never wavered and he completed the three-part Symphonic Fantasy Korea, which included “Aegukga” in the finale.

“Aegukga” was designated the national anthem in 1948 when the government of the Republic of Korea was established. A fourth part was added in 1958, symbolizing the joy of independence and devastation of the Korean War. He was so committed to exposing Korea to the world through the Symphonic Fantasy Korea that he had the chorus part sung in Korean even in overseas performances.

Spreading Korean Music to the World

Ahn was more than just the composer of “Aegukga.” He was also a renowned conductor who led roughly 200 orchestras in Europe and North America and exposed the world to Korean music. He returned to Korea in 1955, 25 years after he left home, to conduct the Symphonic Fantasy Korea. After that he shuttled between Spain, where he worked as a senior conductor, and Korea to hold international music festivals and concerts, continuing to promote Korea.

He died peacefully in Barcelona, Spain on September 16, 1965, but his “Aegukga” is played every time a Korean stands tall and proud on the podium and whenever the nation needs to come together as one. As long as “Aegukga” keeps being played to represent Korea, we will continue to remember Ahn’s love for his country and music.