Yun, Isang

Yun, Isang (b Tongyong, S. Korea, 1917; d Berlin, 1995). Korean-born composer (Ger. cit. 1971). Settled in Berlin 1963–7. Abducted from Berlin 1967 by S. Korean agents and taken with his wife to Seoul to be tried for sedition. He was sentenced to life imprisonment, but international outcry obtained his release after 2 years. Taught in Hanover 1969–70 and at Berlin Hochschule für Musik 1970–85 (prof. from 1973). Scrapped early works up to 1959 when he began to use Darmstadt total serial procedures into which he injected sounds and rhythms of Korean mus. Works incl. operas The Dream of Liu-Tung (1965), Butterfly Widow (1967), Geisterliebe (1969–70), and Sim Tjong (1972); syms.: I (1982–3), II (1984), III (1985), IV (Singing in the dark) (1986), V, bar., orch. (1987); Colloides sonores, str. orch.; Loyang, chamber ens.; Fluctuations, orch. (1964); vc. conc. (1976); fl. conc. (1977); conc., ob., hp., small orch. (1977); cl. conc. (1981); conc., ob., vc., str. (1987); 4 str. qts.; fl. quintet (1985); fl. qt. (1989); octet; and many pf. pieces.