An Afternoon for Piano and Percussion: The Prodigal Son Suite

ABOUT:

We invite you to a distinctive musical event that merges Western classical tradition with the vibrant heritage of Thailand.

This concert serves as the Doctoral Recital for pianist Pana Yontararak, featuring a special collaboration with Polish percussionist Łukasz Kurzydło.

The afternoon centers on The Prodigal Son Suite, a major work by the icon of Thai classical music, Nat Yontararak. The composition draws its inspiration from "Likay," a popular form of Thai folk drama often performed at temple fairs and festivities. Much like a Western opera or musical, Likay combines music, dance, and drama to tell a compelling story. In this suite, the composer adapts the famous Biblical parable of the Prodigal Son, translating the narrative into a musical journey.

To capture the melodramatic flair of Likay, the piece incorporates significant percussion elements. Since traditional Thai instruments are primarily percussive, Łukasz Kurzydło’s performance is essential—he provides the authentic "Thai flavor"…