The songs of MONARCHS
The Pathorn Srikaranonda Quartet paid tribute to the late kings of Thailand and Cambodia in a spectacular performance
For famed saxophonist and lecturer Assoc Prof Dr Pathorn Srikaranonda, two recent performances in Phnom Penh were a music mission to remember. The musician, leader of the Pathorn Srikaranonda Quartet, played royal compositions by the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and King Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia.
Two concerts earlier this month were a tribute to the two monarchs who during their time shared a deep passion for music. The programme at the Cambodian royal palace was to commemorate King Sihanouk’s 100th birth anniversary this year. The king, who was Cambodia’s statesman, passed away in 2012 while receiving medical treatment in China.
The performances rekindled memories of a grand music event by the then Bangkok Symphonic Orchestra in the 1990s. The BSO alternately performed the works of the two monarchs at Chatomouk Hall in Phnom Penh.
Both King Bhumibol and King Sihanouk were avid jazz musicians.
“They were avant-garde,” Dr Pathorn, who studied the monarchs’ compositions, said. Jazz became a prominent genre after World War II.
Few people may realise that King Bhumibol and King Sihanouk once performed together during the latter’s state visit to Thailand in 1954. It was the first state visit during the reign of King Bhumibol, who ascended the throne in 1946.
The royal performance, which was apparently unplanned, was historic.
According to the archives, King Bhumibol had learned about the Cambodian monarch’s love of music and wished to perform together as a way to strengthen royal ties. He had an invitation sent to the latter, suggesting that the performance should take
‘‘They were avant-garde
place on the night of Dec 19. In the royal note, King Bhumibol addressed the other as a phra prayurayat un sanit, or close kin.
It’s said King Bhumibol had lent a saxophone to King Sihanouk since he did not bring any musical instrument with him at the time.
Memoirs of a Thai liaison officer to the Cambodian king said the monarch earnestly rehearsed ahead of the Dec 19 event and it turned out to be a beautiful night.
According to Dr Pathorn, the two monarchs were prolific. Several of their compositions are masterpieces.
Dr Pathorn, son of music legend Manrat Srikaranonda, a member of the King Bhumibol’s Aor Sor Friday band, developed a passion for King Sihanouk’s music and the stories behind the beautiful notes.
Initially, King Sihanouk’s works had an American influence. But later on, he blended traditional Cambodian music into his works that made them unique. He ushered Cambodian popular music into the golden era.
The quartet’s performance at the royal palace, attended by His Majesty King Sihamoni and members of the Cambodian court, featured 11 songs.
The highlight was Monica, a romantic piece King Sihanouk wrote for the then queen consort who is now Queen Mother Monineath.
The song is spectacular for its beautiful ballads.
“I can feel the enormous love the [Cambodian] king had for the queen,” he said in a previous interview. Other songs are Le Soir (Ou Je T’ai Rencontree), Phnom Penh, Love Star and La Foret Enchantee among others.
It’s out of the question that Cambodians have an everlasting love for King Sihanouk’s music.
The quartet also showcased its newly composed pieces, Chaopraya by Dr Pathorn and Phnom Penh Bop by a quartet member, which mark the cordial relations between the two countries through music.
Dr Pathorn and his band members were thrilled with King Sihamoni’s kind gesture — he was all smiles during the performance.
After wrapping the performance, Dr Pathorn had a chance to present his composition, Garagade The Ballet, to King Sihamoni, known for his interest in this genre.
It’s a meaningful gift from the Thai musician.
According to Dr Pathorn, Garagade is a jataka story shared by the peoples of Cambodia, Laos and Thailand long before the three countries were separated by what is known as a border.
Now that the mission is over, Dr Pathorn said it’s his dream that his composition would be translated into a performance.