Showing 1 - 10 of 11
A 'goddess of the flute'
Life, James Keller, Published on 28/09/2023
» To mark the 145th anniversary of B. Grimm Ltd in Thailand, the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra (RBSO) paid suitable homage to its chief supporter and benefactor in mid-September with a concert at the Thailand Cultural Centre (TCC), featuring one of today's bona fide classical superstars, the Korean sensation known as the "Goddess of the Flute" -- Jasmine Choi. Formerly Principal Flute of the Cincinnati Symphony at the tender age of 22, and subsequently the first female player to win the same position with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, Choi now pursues a successful top-flight solo career which captivates audiences the world over.
Top orchestra expands on its recent Romantic repertoire
Life, James Keller, Published on 09/06/2022
» Recent concerts by the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra have been distinguished by a noticeably high level of enthusiastic engagement by the musicians, a pleasing sign of collective relief that we are now hopefully finally emerging from the Covid-19 era once and for all.
Mature Musicality
Life, Published on 25/09/2019
» Somtow Sucharitkul and Siam Sinfonietta earlier this month gave a wonderful concert in the Czech Republic's capital, Prague, as part of their European tour. The event was significant for several reasons. It marked the premiere on the Old Continent of Voraprach Wongsathapornpat's piece Temples Of Kyoto, Trisdee Na Patalung's Restoration, and Somtow's Helena Citrónová suite. For many of the young musicians, the tour occasioned their first performance in Europe and "their first time encountering the particular warmth of the Czechs and the intensity of their love for music". The excited audience at Prague's Academy of Performing Arts (HAMU) bestowed a long standing ovation on Somtow and Sinfonietta for their mature musicality.
RBSO indulges in central European warmth
Life, Published on 09/03/2018
» 'German Romantics" was the theme of the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra's latest concert at the Thailand Cultural Centre on the last day of February, called the "Suzuki Plays Mendelssohn Violin Concerto".
RBSO shines with rendition of Sibelius
Life, Published on 05/12/2017
» Joined by the Russian-born violin virtuoso Boris Belkin for a memorable performance of Sibelius' Violin Concerto In D Minor, the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra (RBSO) excelled once again at the Thailand Cultural Centre last Tuesday. The orchestra also gave a rousing performance of Tchaikovsky's ultimate orchestral warhorse, his Fifth Symphony In E Minor.
Exceptional Russian ballet stars lift roof off TCC
Life, Published on 06/09/2016
» Mesmerising world class ballet dancing was on display at the Thailand Cultural Centre on Aug 26, when four top-ranking stars from Russia's historic Perm Tchaikovsky Opera and Ballet Theatre shared the stage with home-grown talent in the form of the Bangkok City Ballet Company -- which is celebrating its 20th anniversary. For the record, it is immediately worth stating that the 14 members of BCB -- directed by founder Masako Hirata -- carried themselves most convincingly in the presence of such illustrious visiting artists, who brought with them one-and-a-half-century-old traditions of bravura.
Mamma Mia! -- what a show
Life, Published on 03/11/2015
» A powerfully miked vocal trio from London's West End blazed their way through a most enjoyable selection of jukebox and rock musicals at the Thailand Cultural Centre on Oct 21 in the "Musical Rock" concert.
The West End in Bangkok
Life, Published on 13/10/2015
» Balanced by the audio mixing-desk perhaps a few decibel notches louder than would usually be prudent on a typical evening at the Thailand Cultural Centre, blazing electric guitars will be ringing alongside the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra (BSO) when musical maestro Michael England makes his third welcome visit to Thailand. The British conductor became an instant crowd favourite when he appeared with the BSO in 2013 and certainly seems to have established himself as a bona fide annual fixture for the orchestra's continuing love affair with West End or Broadway smash hits, which will take place again in "Musicals Rock" on Oct 21.
Bangkok is alive with the sound of music
Life, Kaona Pongpipat, Published on 01/04/2015
» Last year was a quiet for musicals in Bangkok. This year, however, we have already seen two musical productions, from a small adaptation of George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion at Thonglor Art Space to the original Broadway musical Beauty And The Beast earlier this month. This week alone, there are two more productions, from veteran Yuthtana Lopanpaibul's Thai version of The Sound Of Music opening tomorrow at Muangthai Rachadalai Theatre, to, beginning on Saturday, a stage adaptation by Teravat Anuvatudom of the 2004 film Hom Rong (The Overture), the debut performance at KBank Siam Pic-Ganesha, Siam Square One.
A masterclass in music
Life, Published on 23/10/2014
» It came as no surprise whatsoever to witness, once again, a full house at the Thai Cultural Centre last Friday, in large part because of the highly anticipated return of West End maestro Michael England, who packed the same venue with the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra just over a year ago.