A: “I will be presenting songs inspired by the book The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera. Reflecting the theme of the book, I will perform songs that explore both lightness and heaviness. We will play two sets: one focusing on weight and one on lightness. The music will consist of improvisational compositions influenced by classical, jazz and film score music. This will include music by Bill Evans, John Coltrane, Beethoven and Ryuichi Sakamoto.
“I decided to do a project on The Unbearable Lightness of Being because the book’s exploration of existential themes deeply resonates with me. I experienced a profound sense of weightlessness when I moved to a new country and couldn’t speak the language. Music became my anchor, and I found myself relying heavily on it, much like Tereza in the book (For Tereza, it was books).
“I am particularly attracted to the examination of the separation between lightness and weight and how the book delves into the complexity of human emotions, choices, and the nature of existence. This book holds a special place in my heart because it challenges readers to reflect on the meaning of their own lives and the values they hold.
“I first became aware of Milan Kundera’s work through the artwork of a Korean publication. Upon reading it, I was captivated by Kundera’s writing, which is both profound and poetic. The way he used music as his metaphor inspired me to explore how I can use literature as my metaphor in music.
“Translating Kundera’s prose to music involved capturing the emotional depth and contrasting themes of lightness and weight. The main challenge was creating compositions that embody the philosophical nuances of the text while maintaining a coherent and engaging musical narrative. This required a delicate balance of introspective melodies and dynamic arrangements to reflect the book’s shifting tones and moods.”
Which is your favourite passage from the book?
“And what can life be worth if the first rehearsal for life is life itself? That is why life is always like a sketch. No, sketch is not quite the word, because a sketch is an outline of something, the groundwork for a picture, whereas the sketch that is our life is a sketch for nothing, an outline with no picture. Einmal ist keinmal, says Tomas to himself. What happens but once, says the German adage, might as well not have happened at all. If we have only one life to live, we might as well not have lived at all.”
