Adaptation of Khaen’ Lai-Yai: Case Study of Sombat Simla

Nutthapol Deekum

The Recording of Thai Contemporary Music for the Flutes

Kalaya Phongsathorn

Inside The Kaleidoscope of The Beatles

Thanakarn Schofield*

Galerna – A composition based on the living experience in Donostia

Pongtorn Techaboonakho*

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Adaptation of Khaen’ Lai-Yai: Case Study of Sombat Simla

Nutthapol Deekum

Srinakharinwirot University

The khaen solo “Lai-Yai” by Sombat Simla, well-known Khaen player, is a focus of the doctoral dissertation entitled, “The Paradigm of Prototypical Khaen Pattern by Sombat Simla.” This study aims to investigate the process of composition and paradigm in music through Sombat Simla’s practical Khaen musical repertoire. Case study methodology, with data collected through observation, was used in this qualitative research project. Data sets were analyzed in the pattern of mix methods. Thai classic music patterns, social hierarchy concepts, musicology, and anthropology were all important to this study. The results show that “Lai-Yai” of Sombat’s performance has been adapted through performance, and has been made habitually more complex, including with added improvisatory ideas. It shows the expertise of his performing, and his regard for the way of life in his society, duty and responsibility, incentive, and attitude.

The Recording of Thai Contemporary Music for the Flutes

Kalaya Phongsathorn

Princess Galyani Vadhana Institute of Music

Over the years, I have been commissioning and performing contemporary music compositions by Thai composers to both audiences in Thailand and abroad, with an ambition to present Thai traditional music idioms to the western music world through the classical-style compositions for the flutes.

This music collection is intended to be the archive of major classical flute compositions by Thai composers of the 21st century. It is the first-ever recorded collection of its kind. The composers were able to aesthetically involve Thai traditional musical elements in their classical-style compositions, creating the enjoyable, yet profound pieces of music in this collection. Performance requires both established techniques of the players as well as a deep understanding of the characteristics of Thai musical heritage. The cultural crossover in this collection makes it unique and interesting. It is designed to be widely enjoyed by international audiences.

The compositions in this collection are as follows: M.Cherdchoo-ngarm’s Sonata for Piccolo and Piano, M.Cherdchoo-ngarm’s Sonatine for Flute and Piano, A. Jantarawirote’s Seeda for Flute and Piano, C. Mekara’s Rachapruck for flute solo, and K. Dilokkunanant’s Rumwong for flute ensemble. The musicians who took part in this project were Kalaya Phongsathorn (Flute, piccolo), Usa Napawan (Piano),Sumida Ansvananda (Piano),Morakot Cherdchoo-ngarm (piano), and the Million Wind Philharmonic flute section. Most of the compositions in this collection are the commissions of Kalaya Phongsathorn. The Sonatine and Sonata by M. Cherdchoo-ngarm both involve Thai traditional tunes such as Lao Kruan and Lao Krang. The composition of C. Mekara depicts the image of the Rachapruck flower and atmospheric scene in Chiang Mai with extensive use of extended techniques on the flute. Seeda was inspired by the scene from Ramayanawhen where Seeda proves her chastity by ordeal. Rumwong presents well-known traditional dance tunes by using six flutes to replicate the effects of Thai northeastern traditional musical instruments and ensembles.

This album is scheduled for release on online platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, and Tidal in August 2022. To promote the album further, live performances and collaborations with art exhibitions have also been planned, including for example, a recital at Thailand International Composition Festival 2022 at College of Music Mahidol University on August 5, 2022, as well as the Songs of My Soul Tapestries of Kachamas Perez Art Exhibition at ATT19 Gallery in October 2022.

Inside The Kaleidoscope of The Beatles

Thanakarn Schofield 

Graduate Center, City University of New York

This paper explores the context of compositional practice and the duality in cultural aesthetics that are demonstrated in the Beatles’ album Revolver. The paper also examines and analyzes the Beatles’ approaches to avant-garde recording practice and Hindustani tradition, and the influences of both on the Beatles’ songwriting. This will include an analysis of the recording process and techniques that are employed in “Strawberry Fields Forever,” and an examination of cultural appropriation and raga ontology in “Love You To” and “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds.” This will lead to a consideration of how the Beatles adapted non-Western musical practices and its connotations in their songs.

Galerna – A composition based on the living experience in Donostia

Pongtorn Techaboonakho

Back in November 2021, an abnormal phenomenon occurred during the season change in the Bay of Biscay area called “Galerna”. Galerna is a natural phenomenon of sudden violent storms and strong winds in the coastal area.

From my first impression, I could feel the powerful wind pushing my body and see objects moving around me. So, my interpretation of music is based on the first impression of phenomena using the sudden storm movement, wind and water, and gestures of sound intensity. In terms of sound, I mainly focus on the techniques that represent the sound of Galerna by playing around the instrument to imitate the natural sonic experience.

Through music, I can express my deep feelings of depression and sense of the unknown that follows a sudden environmental change through sound spectrum and saturation. The piece is dedicated to the extraordinary life in Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain.