Showing 1 - 9 of 9
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).
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.
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.
A musical greeting to Japan
Life, Apipar Norapoompipat, Published on 04/10/2017
» As Japanese conductor Koji Kawamoto waved his baton in one swift motion, the 63 musicians of the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra filled Tokyo's acoustically stunning Suntory Hall with an unfamiliar tune.
Music fit for a Queen
Life, Tretip Kamolsiri, Published on 29/08/2017
» Under the baton of National Artist Rear Adm Veeraphan Vawklang, The Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra (RBSO) last week performed "Thai Classical Music" to celebrate Her Majesty Queen Sirikit's 85th birthday at the Main Hall of the Thailand Culture Centre. The programme consisted of works from different genres that reflected Her Majesty's great benevolence to the country during the reign of the late King Bhumibol.
Weaving ties and traditions
Life, Karnjana Karnjanatawe, Published on 04/04/2017
» Wongduean Udomdechawet smiles when she talks about the craft of creating the tie-dyed silk woven cloth, known as mudmee.
Musicians cite their favourite compositions by His Majesty
Life, Published on 18/10/2016
» The viewpoints or the feelings of the composer are strange and difficult to describe. Those who have never composed, even musicians who play musical instruments but never compose, would not have experienced this kind of feeling. We have created the music with such and such characteristics. After that, we cannot take it back. We cannot make it disappear. If it were a painting that was painted 20 years ago, when we look at it again, we might see that the colours have peeled, that it might need some restoration. The colours may have changed, but the colours of music never change."
Staying sustainable
Life, Yvonne Bohwongprasert, Published on 07/12/2015
» In-depth information sourced by experts, attractive infographics and accessible English are just a couple of reasons why Thailand's Sustainable Development Sourcebook should reach the wider public, said Dr Chirayu Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, chairman of the Thailand Sustainable Development Institute.
Heart-melting beauty to honour HM the King
Life, Published on 16/12/2014
» Chinese virtuoso cellist Jian Wang, along with respected Dutch conductor Hubert Soudant and the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra Foundation, closed out its seventh "Great Artists Concert Series" with another extremely fine sounding performance on Dec 7 at the Thailand Cultural Centre.