Kim Hong jeon (1914 2003) LYDIA Oratorio Symphony d minor (1942) Seoul

Conductor Kim Kyunghee Hyunjoo, Lee Akyung, Park Sunggeun, Han Gyuwon The oratorio Lydia by the late Rev. HongJeon Kim (19142003), a renowned Korean theologian and composer, will be premiered in Korea following its premiere in the Americas. The oratorio Lydia is based on the Book of Ruth from the Bible, and the period from 1942 to 1944 when this work was written was a dark time under Japanese colonial rule. This work deals with the story of three women, Naomi, Orpah, and Ruth, who appear in the Book of Ruth. The name Lydia is the Korean pronunciation of Ruthia, a nickname for Ruths English name. Naomi, who depended on the world and left in pursuit of vain things, but did not remain in that despair but turned her heart and tried to return to God, and through the journey of Naomi and Ruth, it contains a message about the blessings given to those who turn to God. (from Flamand)