Symphonic tribute to the late king
Four of Thailand’s most celebrated conductors will be leading more than 200 performers in an epic performance featuring the world’s first symphonic rendition of the late King Bhumibol’s complete songs this weekend.
Titled “48 Forever”, the concert will be one of the most spectacular tributes to the late monarch whose 48 compositions will be presented in a wide and extensive variety of musical styles — from jazz-influenced to symphony-pop, musical theatre to opera, string quartets to full blown orchestras with a 100-voice choir.
This is the brainchild of Opera Siam artistic director and conductor Somtow Sucharitkul, who wishes to bring Thailand’s classical music world together to perform King Bhumibol’s complete songs in an exciting new way.
“Beautiful arrangements for symphony orchestra and classical ensembles exist,” said Somtow. “And we have brought them all together, with a dash of jazz and a sprinkle of traditional Thai.”
Lasting for four hours, the one-of-a-kind show will feature all the generations of Thai composers who have created symphonic versions of King Rama IX’s music, beginning with the late ML Usni Pramoj, who gave his blessing to the venture shortly before he passed away. Then follow Somtow himself, Dr Denny Euprasert and Trisdee na Patalung and the youngest generation of composers such as film composer Pantawit Kiangsiri, who works in Hollywood, and Cambridge first year student Voraprach Wongsathapornpat, a music scholar at Somtow’s old college, St Catharine’s.
The soloists include American opera star Stacey Tappan, Athalie de Koning and her Jazziam ensemble, pop star Pod Moderndog, Thailand’s Got Talent first prize winner Myra Molloy and Swedish luk thung star Jonas Anderson.
The ensembles include the popular Jeeb Bangkok, Siam Sinfonietta and Philharmonic, Wat Suthi Symphonic Band, Orpheus Choir, Immanuel Children’s Choir, Nam Jai Japanese Chorus, Happy Voices Choir and the Rangsit Symphony Orchestra.
Conductors will be Somtow, Trisdee, Denny and Vanich Potavanich. A featured performer is Khun Ploypailin Jensen, who will grace the evening with some of her royal grandfather’s compositions.
The marathon concert will be held in the Main Hall of Thailand Cultural Centre, Ratchadaphisek Road, on Saturday and Sunday from 4-9.30pm, plus a 90-minute dinner break at 6pm. Tickets cost 1,000 baht for standard seats, 2,0002 baht for VIP seats and 5,000 baht for premiump seats inclusive of a private dinner reception.r Tickets for students cost 300 baht.b They can be purchased from www. thaaiticketmajor.com, www.ticketmelon.com and wwww.48-forever.com. Part of the proceeds will go tot Ramathibodi Foundation to support the construction of Chakri Naruebodindra Medical Institute.
Contact Opera Siam on 02-231-5273, 089-136-9981 or 094-353-1112.