The city of Saemangeum in North Jeolla Province, South Korea wowed Canadian pianist Steve Barakatt who was so moved by its beauty during his visit in November 2016. He agreed to compose and record the official anthem of the city.
Saemangeum is located near Mangyeong and Dongjin rivers on the province coast of South Korea. It is being developed as a free economic zone as it comprises reclaimed tidal land. Barakatt wished to compose a song that would tell his experience and give it to the city as a gift, according to a statement released on Dec. 25, 2016 by Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
"I am so happy I was able to experience such beautifully mysterious Saemangeum," Barakatt said in the official statement. "I am also very happy to have the opportunity to be able to melodically express how I was emotionally touched (during the visit)."
The music artist is set to finish the composition by February. He will then record the song with an orchestra before unveiling it to the Samangeum Development and Investment Agency, The Korea Herald reported.
Barakatt recently completed his "Christmas Dream" holiday concert tour in Seoul and Uslan as well as in Guri and Ansan in Gyeonggi Province. He has a sizable Korean fanbase and has been touring regularly throughout the country. He even performed with K-Pop idol Chen of EXO in 2016.
In South Korea, Barakatt's track "California Vibes" plays on all high-speed KTX trains while "Rainbow Bridge" can be heard in many television dramas, commercials and radio programs. The Canadian ambassador of the United Nations Children's Fund also composed the UNICEF International Anthem "Lullaby."
Barakatt is known in South Korea for his fusion of jazz and classical music. He expressed his hope for the unification of South and North Korea when he wrote in 2011, "He is from Seoul, She is from Pyongyang," according to The Korea Times. The composer is also known for his songs, "Autumn in Quebec" and "A Night in New York City."
Watch Barakatt perform his track "Rainbow Bridge" for his Korean fans in the video clip below: