Adolphus Hailstork - Yuhwa (The Goddess of the Willow Trees)

In Korean mythology, Yuhwa was the daughter of a River God, tricked into marrying the Sun God. She escaped back to her homeland and gave birth to a son who became the founder and monarch of Korea’s northern kingdom. The symbolic willow tree is considered a source of healing in Korean folklore and elsewhere around the world. Hailstork’s 6-minute depiction is a luscious mix of innocent (and catchy) melody, blended with fascinating drama and texture to create a concert work that both stands on its own as pure music and depicts the legend of the goddess Yuhwa.