Kenneth Gordon
Bio
Kenneth Gordon was drafted into the U.S. Army near the start of the Korean War. After completing basic training at Ft. Dix, where he met fellow musician Seymour Bernstein, he was sent to Korea where he joined Bernstein in the 8th Army’s 10th Company Special Services unit. A gifted violinist from an early age, Gordon joined Bernstein in playing over two hundred fifty concerts for troops and dignitaries across Korea during the war. They played for troops on the front lines as well as South Korean President, Syngman Rhee. After his service in Korea, he played for forty-six years with the New York Philharmonic as part of the first violin section. He has returned four or five times to Korea to perform with the Philharmonic and other musical organizations.
Video Clips
On the Road in Korea
Kenneth Gordon, renowned violinist , served with 8th Army's 10th Company's Special Services Unit in Korea. He shares his experiences of traveling with pianist Seymour Bernstein throughout Korea to perform over two hundred concerts for soldiers and dignitaries. He notes that they frequently played for mortar outfits very near the front lines and recalls receiving applause from the Chinese on the other side of the mountain on one such occasion.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IzrNIjbhbo&start=54&end=422
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/kenneth-gordon#clip-1
Embed:
Coming Together to Entertain the Troops
Kenneth Gordon recollects how he and Seymour Bernstein first met at Ft. Dix where each was assigned for basic training. He recalls it as an event that was just meant to be. He recounts how as they were playing a concert at Ft. Dix, a colonel told him he was going to Korea but as part of the Special Services Unit. Gordon and Bernstein played for the wounded in hospitals and frequently for two to three thousand soldiers, many ready for patrol following the concert.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IzrNIjbhbo&start=428&end=689
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/kenneth-gordon#clip-2
Embed:
Impressions of Korea
Kenneth Gordon recounts landing in Busan before making his way to Daegu where his musical career in Korea began. He recalls the terribly rough trip from Seattle to Tokyo on board the Colonel Black where so many men, including himself, were sea sick. He details the conditions of Busan when he arrived and remarks on the incredible changes made when he returned in 1965 with Leonard Bernstein.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IzrNIjbhbo&start=1064&end=1254
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/kenneth-gordon#clip-3
Embed:
Most Difficult Thing
Kenneth Gordon shares the not knowing if you were going to leave was the most difficult part of his time in Korea. He recalls how he always carried his violin in one hand and his M1 Rifle in the other. He recounts a story of being injured while cleaning his gun one last time. He comments on another challenge he faced which was maintaining his violin throughout the time he was there, and he shares how a POW provided needed advice for doing just that.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IzrNIjbhbo&start=1491&end=1736
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/kenneth-gordon#clip-4
Embed:
Playing for the President
Kenneth Gordon shares he was invited to play for South Korean President Syngman Rhee and his wife at the palace in Seoul. He recalls how General James Van Fleet suggested him as a performer. He explains that since the president's wife was Viennese, tunes were carefully selected for her enjoyment. He shares his belief that Syngman Rhee was president at the right time.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IzrNIjbhbo&start=1737&end=1889
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/kenneth-gordon#clip-5
Embed: