CONCERTS FOR A PRINCESS
To remember HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana and her support for classical music in Thailand, the Ministry of Culture’s Department of Cultural Promotion in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the World Intellectual Property Organisation (Wipo), Princess Galyani Vadhana Institute of Music, and the Fund for Classical Music Promotion will host a series of concerts and Thai cultural performances at various venues in Geneva, Switzerland, during June 4-10. HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana worked hard for the people and country and supported classical music promotion in Thailand. She gave her personal money for founding the Fund for Classical Music Promotion to upgrade Thailand’s classical music circle to meet international standards. The Culture Ministry is organising the events to mark the 95th anniversary of her birthday and spread the word about her work since Thailand is going to nominate her as one of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) Eminent Personalities in 2023. “The objective is to allow foreign dignitaries, United Nations officers, friends, business people and those who had served the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and [his elder sister] HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana as well as the Swiss, Thais and expats in Geneva and its neighbourhood to appreciate the princess’s legacy and the beauty of Thai culture,” Culture Minister Veera Rojpojanarat said. The shows consist of a piano recital by famous pianists Princess Caroline Murat and Poom Prommachart at the Grand Ballroom of Beau Rivage Hotel, Geneva, starting at 8pm on June 6, a classical music concert by musicians from Princess Galyani Vadhana Institute of Music, and Thai cultural performances at the Wipo auditorium, Geneva, starting at 4pm on June 7. According to Jumpot Chuasai, secretary-general of the Fund for Classical Music Promotion, the concert is special for incorporating a four-hand piano recital by world-class rising stars Princess Caroline Murat and Poom Prommachart who love and respect the late princess. The award-winning Princess Caroline Murat has performed piano solo concerts worldwide, including three times before the late HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana. Poom obtained scholarships from the late princess. Poom has been praised by international critics, calling him “a young Ashkenazy” from Seen And Heard UK Concert Review in 2010. He is well-known for his complete control and virtuosity. He obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Performance with Hopkinson Gold Medal in 2011, Master’s Degree in Performance (Distinction) and the International Artist Diploma in Performance from the Royal College of Music in 2013 under Dina Parakhina’s class. He is one of a few pianists in recent years and the first Thai pianist to have won the championship at Sir Arthur Bliss’ Piano Concerto for Piano and Orchestra with Worthing Symphony Orchestra in 2014. Since its establishment in 2000, the Fund for Classical Music Promotion under the Patronage of HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana has been working to promote classical musical activities in Thailand and abroad, upgrade classical music in Thailand and hone the skills of Thai musicians in this field. It has so far supported studies for more than 80 musicians.