현제명 玄濟明
Composer and tenor, author of Gohyang Saenggak; pen name Hyeonseok
| Life | 1902 ~ 1960 |
| Era | 일제강점기~대한민국 |
| Clan | 연주 현씨 |
Life & career
Hyeon Je-myeong (1902-1960), born in Daegu, was a composer and tenor of the Yeonju Hyeon clan, pen name Hyeonseok. His songs include Gohyang Saenggak (Thoughts of Home), Geujip-ap and Namul Kaeneun Cheonyeo, and he composed the operas Chunhyangjeon and Prince Hodong, plus school songs for many institutions.
After liberation he was active in right-wing music circles, helped found the music college of Seoul National University and the Goryeo Symphony, and was chosen in 2008 among builders of the Republic in a cultural category.
However, in the late colonial period he joined pro-Japanese groups, published the song Looking at Mt. Fuji and toured with a singing guidance team. He appears on the 2002 list of 708, the 2008 prospective dictionary entries and the 2009 list of 704. He died of cirrhosis in 1960.
Songs and Operas
Gohyang Saenggak, with his own words and music, is his best-known song; he also played, sang, conducted and directed opera.
Collaboration
Wikipedia describes his collaboration as unusually clear among musicians; he is on the 2009 list of 704, hence the tag.
After Liberation
He helped found the SNU music college and the Goryeo Symphony; his deeds and conduct should be weighed together.
Grave
His grave was not confirmed.
Descendants
He had a daughter, Hyeon Hye-suk.