Showing 1 - 10 of 25
Farewell to a maestro
Life, John Clewley, Published on 10/04/2024
» The world of molam has been in mourning since news emerged that Thailand's greatest phin player Thongsai Thap Thanon passed away on March 20 at his home in Warin Chamrap district, Ubon Ratchathani, at the age of 77. The phin is a two- or three-stringed Isan Lao lute that is part of the trinity of molam instruments, along with the iconic khaen (free reed bamboo mouth organ) and the sor (fiddle).
Musical exchanges
Life, Published on 02/04/2024
» A completely packed Thailand Cultural Centre (TCC) was witness to a truly awe-inspiring concert on March 22, as a top visiting orchestra, the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra (TSO), took to the stage to officially mark the opening of its brand new, brave initiative called "Asia Project".
Getting soft power right
Life, Published on 08/01/2024
» After three months in office, the Srettha Thavisin government has raved on about populist policies in the guise of digital wallets and soft power projects that will create income to boost our declining economy. With optimism, we learned that Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Pheu Thai party leader and head of the National Soft Power Strategy Committee (NSPSC), has drafted a budget of 5.1 billion baht to boost festivals and creative industries. It is welcoming news to hear this government is priortising art, music, literature, design, fashion, film, food, games, sports and festivals as essential sources for the creative economy. Where this enormous chunk of budget will come from, like digital wallets, remains to be seen.
A harmonious blend
Life, James Keller, Published on 26/12/2023
» A highly energised Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra rounded off a hugely successful 2023 concert season mid-December with a cleverly conceived and designed programme titled "Orient Et Occident", with each performance alternating between compositions by Western and Eastern composers. By now, frequent visiting English conductor Douglas Bostock certainly knows how to inspire this orchestra to the very best of its abilities, and the opening La Princesse Jaune Overture by Camille Saint-Saëns was duly performed with a delightfully assured élan. The utterly charming faux-exoticism which the composer conjures was played with innocent, abundant joy, whilst a central lush string section showed off those particular ranks in an extremely positive light.
Curtains for Chinese opera?
Life, Thana Boonlert, Published on 27/02/2023
» "Hurry up," shouted a crew member who climbed up onto a makeshift stage. Casting sidelong glances, performers, half-clad, looked in the mirror and concentrated on applying layers of make-up. Nearby, a motley bunch of musicians and technicians double-checked their instruments. A stream of chatter from a growing audience -- without any partition between the theatre and real life -- put unintended pressure on the band.
Family forever
Life, Alongkorn Parivudhiphongs, Published on 23/11/2018
» A workaholic husband who just got laid off. A wife whose direct-sale career is soaring. Two teens devoting their time to friends and mobile phones. Here is the recipe for a broken home, and an ordinary-yet-spicy plot for Still On My Mind The Musical from director Takolkiat Viravan.
The politics of trans acting
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 30/04/2018
» Kudos and controversy in film, and other happenings in this month's round-up of LGBT news
A real-life fairy tale
Life, Published on 27/03/2018
» It all began in 1871 when 17-year-old member of Austria's aristocracy Erwin Mueller decided to take up a job as a store clerk in Hamburg, Germany, instead of fulfilling his father's dream of walking an academic path and serving the country. There he met German pharmacy student Bernhard Grimm who interned at the shop's chemical section.
Building a company that lasts
Life, Usnisa Sukhsvasti, Published on 22/02/2018
» The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are not merely a global agenda or war cry for sustainable development that is being taken up by governments around the world. To move forward towards global prosperity, there has to be a balance and interaction between economic and social health. As such, business corporations have an equal responsibility and, increasingly, a need, to incorporate sustainable practices into their operations and management systems. It is not just a public-relations exercise, but a factor that will give them an edge, and also provide for long-term growth in a world where business no longer caters simply to a small circle of "customers" or "shareholders", but the wider target of "stakeholders".
Valentina Lisitsa's outspoken words, outgoing music
Life, Harry Rolnick, Published on 12/12/2017
» Wonderful news for music lovers who hate Tchaikovsky symphonies. On Friday, the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra (RBSO) will be performing a Tchaikovsky symphony.