Identifying a music-specific virtuoso: Exploratory factor analysis of virtuosos in Korean music

Abstract

The characteristics of musically or culturally defined virtuosos in diverse music traditions deserve investigation with regard to their connection to music. This study was designed to identify virtuosos within the domain of Korean music (KM) through the lens of current professional performers in KM ( N = 315). Pursuing this aim, we created 45 components structured into the dimensions involving KM virtuosos’ musicianship, music performance, and other behavioral features based on musicological and empirical studies of KM. Using exploratory factor analysis (EFA), we generated a single factorial structure of 11 factors: social recognition of virtuoso, informed knowledge of KM, musicality for contemporary KM, individuality, musical communication, musicality for KM, performance proficiency for KM, musical mastery, established virtuosity in KM, collaborative music performance, and KM creation. The findings suggest that the meaningfully related variables in the factors represent sophisticated concepts of KM virtuosos at present, surpassing the historically defined meaning of virtuosos. The essence of KM, along with its accompanying social systems and phenomena for recognizing KM virtuosos, may hold the key to comprehending the attributes of virtuosos. The results are expected to enhance the discourse on the presence of virtuosos identified within a specific cultural domain.