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TARAE
타래
Official English Title
Other Titles: TARAE～運命の旋律～
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SOURCE
history
SETTING
Foreign
BOOK
original
Young composer meets Beethoven
Korean Premiere
None
Korean Premiere Theatre
None
None
Summary
A young composer meets Beethoven’s resurrected spirit through a lock of hair, forming an impossible bond shaped by music, ambition, and inherited dreams.
Origin & Development
TARAE: Melody of Destiny is a Korean-created musical scheduled to receive its world premiere in Japan in 2027, the 200th anniversary of Beethoven’s death. It is written, lyricized, and directed by Korean creator Song Jae-jun, with music by New York–based Korean composer Kim Hye-young. Toshiyuki Dokiya provides the Japanese translation and adapted lyrics.
The work draws on the historical account that Ferdinand Hiller possessed a lock of Beethoven’s hair given to him by his teacher Johann Nepomuk Hummel, Beethoven’s friend and rival. Its Korean title, Tarae (타래), refers to a bundle of intertwined threads and connects the physical strand of hair with the musical and emotional bonds linking Beethoven, Hiller, and Hummel across time.
The Japanese-language production is structured as a three-character, approximately 100-minute musical accompanied by live piano, violin, and cello. Produced by Pia and ycoment, it will open at Kinokuniya Hall in Tokyo from January 9 to 25, 2027, followed by performances at Sankei Hall Breeze in Osaka from January 29 to 31. Because it is a Korean-authored work receiving its first production in Japan with Japanese performers and producers, it is best classified as Korean-created / first produced abroad rather than a conventional licensed export.
Partial Synopsis
At Beethoven’s funeral in 1827, Johann Nepomuk Hummel stands before the coffin of the friend and rival beside whom he has always felt second best. Hoping that his pupil Ferdinand Hiller may fulfil the musical dream he could not achieve, Hummel secretly cuts a lock of Beethoven’s hair and gives it to the young musician. He tells Hiller that the soul within the hair will guide him toward becoming a great composer.
Years later, the adult Hiller is tormented by Hummel’s demand that he become “the second Beethoven” and by his inability to reach the level of genius expected of him. While confiding in the vial containing Beethoven’s hair, he witnesses a miracle: Beethoven’s spirit appears before him in the youthful form he possessed before losing his hearing.
Hiller begs Beethoven to teach him music. Beethoven initially rejects him but changes his mind after Hiller makes an offer he cannot refuse. The troubled young composer and the resurrected genius enter an impossible teacher–student relationship, while Hummel’s ambitions and disappointments continue to shape both men.
TARAE～運命の旋律～
2027
2027-01-09
to
2027-01-31
Country:
Japan
City:
Multiple Cities
Production Type:
Licensed
Language:
Japanese
Venue:
Multiple Venues
A three-character musical inspired by the story of Beethoven's hair, written, directed, and co-lyricized by Sung Jae-jun with music by Kim Hye-young, and translated with adapted Japanese lyrics by Toshiyuki Dokiya. Produced by Pia and ycoment, the Korean-created work receives its world premiere in Japan.
It plays Kinokuniya Hall in Tokyo (January 9–25, 2027) and Sankei Hall Breeze in Osaka (January 29–31).
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