North Korea's music tugs at heart, defends nation

BEIJING (Reuters) - Gershwin and Dvorak are coming to North Korea. But it's the music created and inspired by the dynastic rulers of the communist state that truly tugs at the heartstrings of one of the world's most isolated peoples.

At least, so says North Korea's propaganda machine, which has kicked into high gear ahead of an unprecedented concert by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra in Pyongyang on Tuesday.

The North Korea's KCNA news agency last week reminded readers how, during the 1950-53 Korean War, its soldiers had "mowed down the U.S. imperialist aggressors," after being inspired by such tunes as "Song of Defending Homeland" and "My Song in Trench".

"Perhaps it is to counter the Western insinuation that somehow the New York Philharmonic is bringing culture to the underdeveloped people," said Brian Myers, an expert on the hermit state's official culture and teacher at the South's Dongseo University.

The New York Philharmonic's concert of music by George Gershwin and Antonin Dvorak is due to be broadcast live in North Korea.

U.S. officials hope it will open a door into the secretive North and ease tensions between foes of more than 50 years who have yet to reach a peace deal to formally end the Korean War.

But the concert may struggle to match music inspired by the founder of the communist dynasty, Kim Il-sung, which KCNA said illustrated "the pleasures of his socialist paradise".

Music plays a central role in North Korea to enforce its communist ideology and policies of self-reliance and putting the military first. Its official songbook includes "The Sea of Blood", "Let Us Hold High the Red Flag", and "A Rich Apple Harvest".

Kim Il-sung and his son, the current leader Kim Jong-il, have been credited by the breathless official media for creating new musical genres, penning revolutionary operas and inspiring legions of soldiers to sing praise to them.