Kyungso Park: Live at the Royal Albert Hall
As part of the K-Music Festival, the Korean Cultural Centre brought together two virtuosos of seemingly disparate music - Kyungso Park on gayageum and Björn Meyer on six-string electric bass.
What really shouldn’t have worked absolutely did and there was joy in the resulting performance from both musicians and from the audience. Between compositions, Park commented on that somewhat surprising combination of music from different cultures and exclaimed: “It works!”
Park confessed to being a massive fan of Meyer and each clearly had a deep understanding of the other’s music. The dexterity with which they each used the strings and bodies of their instruments were both innovative and inspired.
It was a huge pleasure to chat with Kyungso for an episode of Harmonious World in October 2026, and her explanation of the gayageum (the Korean plucked zither) was both fascinating and helpful. Seeing her in performance alongside the innovative bass player Björn Meyer was truly extraordinary.
Park and Meyer filled The Elgar Room upstairs at the Royal Albert Hall and the audience was enthralled. Their music included their individual compositions, with a number coming from Park’s upcoming album - Time of Water. It was not only the music, but also the joy on their faces as they came together to create Resonating Spaces: A Sonic Dialogue Beyond Borders, a brand new project.
At one point in the evening, Park unveiled a miniature gayageum made from ‘found’ items including a soda can, as part of her commitment to promoting environmental awareness.
Park’s very acoustic gayageum and Meyer’s electronic musical wizadry combined in beautiful music that was perfect for both London’s K-Music Festival and for the Late Night Jazz programme at the Royal Albert Hall. Joy exuded from performers and audience members in a delightful evening that shared so much.
There are lots of artists appearing in the K-Music Festival and Late Night Jazz at the Royal Albert Hall
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