Anyone who knows anything of Korean music probably knows something of Hwang Byungki. As a composer, performer, scholar and administrator, Hwang has had an exceptional influence on the world of Korean traditional music for over half a century. During that time, Western-style music (both classical and popular) has become the main form of musical expression for most Koreans, while traditional music has taken on a special role as a powerful emblem of national identity. Through analysis of Hwang's life and works, this book addresses the broader question of traditional music's place in a rapidly modernizing yet intensely nationalistic society, as well as the issues faced by a composer working in an idiom in which the very concept of the individual composer was not traditionally recognized. It explores how new music for traditional instruments can provide a means of negotiating between a local identity and the modern world order.This is the first book-length study in English of an Asian composer who writes primarily for traditional instruments. Following a thematic rather than a rigidly chronological approach, each chapter focuses on a particular area of interest or activity-such as Hwang's unique position in the traditional genre kayagm sanjo, his enduring interest in Buddhist culture and a meditative aesthetic, and his adoption of extended techniques and approaches from Western avant-garde music-and includes in-depth analysis of selected works, excerpts from which are provided on an accompanying CD. The book draws on over 20 years of personal acquaintanceship and study with Hwang Byungki as well as experience in playing his music.

Vanessa Denton gave her life for Gaia and Mathews Bush despite a solemn promise from Mike Simmiss, President of the Save Our Forests Association (SOFA). The tragedy drives Mike to revive a flagging campaign against logging the forest. Time is running out, and the chance of success seems against the odds but, not compromising, Mike grasps every last opportunity. Will it be enough? SOFA goes up against big business, the new owner of the forest, Jackson-Halberd (NZ) Ltd, contending with the company's successful Managing Director, John Baron, and its unscrupulous board member and stroke survivor, Ed Somerville.

A 13 year dream to participate at the Olympic Games proved to be Peter's nemesis. At Barcelona Olympics in 1992 he was bitten by a sand fly and contracted a terminal illness destroying his bone marrow and internal organs. Having both HIV and Leishmania, meant certain death within 20 months. However, now 21 years later past his expiry date, Peter explores why he is the only person in the world to live thislong. Over the past 18 years Peter had a combination treatment of over 920 doses of chemotherapy and other similar drugs. Side effects of severe vision impairment and profound deafness, from the medication became two of the uncertainties of this chronic illness. His Art of Wellness may be part of his longevity. In this story he shares his rise on the International Equestrian circuits to his attempt to be the first in the world participating in the experiment to attempt to kill these parasites. Peter leaves you in no doubt of his heroic struggle to live and tells of the lessons he learned during this adventure. A powerful romp, this book is full of inspiration, humour and practiced wisdom.