Samulnori: Drum and Dance Ensemble

In Korean, sa and mul mean “four things” and nori means “to play.” In the case of Samulnori: Drum and Dance Ensemble, it refers to four amazing musicians playing and dancing with four percussion instruments. Sparking a renaissance in Korea’s music scene and garnering worldwide acclaim, Samulnori has become a leading institution of traditional Korean performance. The origins of its music can be traced to what is usually referred to as “farmers” band music (nong-ak) and ceremonial music. It also incorporates the influences of folk and religious music (pinari) and their intricate rhythms have become quite uniquely their own.