Djong Victorin Yu

Olympian March
Dedicated to the Memory of His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Kojong

Olympian March by Djong Victorin Yu was written to commemorate the Seoul Olympics in 1988. The revised version of 2007 was premiered by the composer conducting the KBS Symphony Orchestra in Seoul, Korea.

In Olympian March there are actually three marches. After a short introduction, the first march is played which is immediately followed by the second march which sounds more "Korean" in its melodic and rhythmic shape. The third march is slower in tempo, and it can be said that this march was inspired by the noble and elegant marches of Elgar. Elgar himself used the term "nobilmente" as an indication and instruction for musicians to play this kind of music.

However, the overall uniqueness of Olympian March comes from the fact that the music is governed by a harmonic progress which is based on the augmented 6th chord. This unusual chord has been used by many composers, including Mozart in his 40th Symphony, and by many others in the 19th century--Chopin and Tchaikovsky. The use of this unique chord was further enhanced and mastered by Rachmaninoff in the 20th century.

In the coda, the three march themes which sound disparate from one other come together in counterpoint, bringing the music to a commanding culmination.

April 29, 2008