JAPAN AND THAILAND MEET FOR A SERIES OF SPECIAL CONCERTS
Japanese accordionist Kanako Kato and Thai violinist Tasana Nagavajara are teaming up this month to present “Crossover”, a series of concerts in four cities that, as the name suggests, crosses musical boundaries. The two will perform in a variety of musical styles, featuring the unique sound of the chromatic accordion together with the violin, a combination rarely heard. The first show takes place at Diana Garden Resort Hotel in Pattaya on Sunday at 6pm, the second at Duke Contemporary Art Space at Gaysorn Village in Bangkok on Jan 22 at 6pm, the third at Goethe in Bangkok on Jan 23 at 7.30pm, the fourth at Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai on Jan 26 at 5.30pm and the last at Mom Tri’s Villa Royale, Kata Noi Beach in Phuket on Jan 28 at 7pm. The unusual, dynamic programme consists of various styles of composition such as Treasure Waltz, an old Viennese dance piece by Johann Strauss; Libertango and Oblivion, contemporary tango pieces by Astor Piazzolla; and Czardas, a fiery folk dance from Hungary by Vittorio Monti. Audiences will also be treated to a rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody by legendary English rock group Queen and an original composition written for the accordion by Kato herself. Kato started playing the accordion at the age of four. After winning various national accordion contests, she went to France to study music. She subsequently took part in many competitions across Europe, winning several awards. In Japan, she regularly performs her original compositions alongside folk pieces from Northern Europe. Her music has also been used in film and commercial productions. With a long and illustrious career, Dr Tasana is no stranger to music lovers in Thailand. He studied and performed in Europe and the US for more than 10 years and has performed throughout the world at major concert halls and music festivals alongside world-class musicians. Currently, he is the musical director of the Pro Musica Orchestra and lecturer in music at Silpakorn University.