Siam Romance

Tickets:

- 1000 THB

- 500 THB Discount price for students

*Please use the code "STUDENTS"*

(Please show your student ID at the door.)

About the concert:

Born 18 November 1985 in Khon Kaen, Thailand, Sun Thathong is a Thai diplomat and an aspiring composer. He began composing in 2004 and has since written over 30 pieces for the piano. His composition style is influenced by Thai folk, Thai pop and classical music. Inspired by works of Chopin and Brahms and those of Thai composers, including Montri Tramote, Puangroi Apaiwong, Nat Yontararak and Dnu Huntrakul, Sun’s compositions are characterised by soothing, voice-like Thai-style melodies infused with elements of romanticism.

The ‘Siam Romance’ charity concert features world’s premiere performance of Sun’s latest compositions—White Flowers Nos. 1-12 and Isan Fantasies Nos. 1 and 2. The composer will perform on the piano and will be joined by two young Thai musicians, Nattawut Sungkasaro (double bass) and Kant Lormsomboon (piano).

The White Flowers series, written over a period of seven years (2014-2021), consists of 12 short pieces written in all major keys. Each piece depicts the physique, cultural context, and related stories of a white Thai flower, combined with the composer’s own experiences. A Thai quatrain (4-lined poem) is given to each piece to denote its tone and mood. The series explored diverse emotions and experiences, such as romantic love (‘White Crown Flower’ in A), youthful excitement (‘White Champaka’ in E), paternal love (‘White Meranti’ in B), maternal love (‘Jasmine’ in F#), nostalgia (‘Kasalong’ in D flat), comfort of friendship (‘Night-blooming Jasmine’ in F), and alluring secrets (‘Tuberose’ in B flat).

The Isan Fantasies series, is a work in progress and, once completed, will consist of 12 pieces in all minor keys. The series is inspired by his hometown’s folkoric music that had an influence on the composer’s musical experience as a child. Written in a story-telling style, it takes listeners on a music journey through the landscapes and traditions of northereastern Thailand or ‘Isan’, portraying hopes (New Horizons in C minor) and yearnings (Old Soil in C# minor).

PROGRAMME:

Sun Thathong – Piano

Isan Fantasies

No. 1 New Horizon (Allegro risoluto) in C min

No. 2 Old Home (Lento con expressione) in D flat min

White Flowers

No. 1 White Crown Flower (Allegretto animato & Adagio cantabile) in A

No. 2 White Champaka (Allegro con moto & Adagio con amore) in E

No. 3 White Meranti (Adagio grazioso) in B

No. 4 Jasmine (Allegretto dolce) in F#

No. 8 Tuberose (Adagio misterioso) in B flat

Kant Lormsomboon – Piano

White Flowers

No. 10 Gardenia (Adagio expressivo) in C

No. 11 Wassana (Andante cantabile, molto dolce) in G

No. 12 Siamese white ixora (Allegro scherzando & Moderato con moto) in D

Kant Lormsomboon – Piano

Nattawut Sungkasaro – Double Bass

White Flowers

No. 5 Kasalong (Adagietto sostenuto) in D flat

No. 6 Murraya (Andante moderato affetuoso) in A flat

No. 7 Honey Suckle (Adagio tranquillo) in E flat

No. 9 Night-blooming Jasmine (Andante expressivo) in F

About the charities:

As a former Royal Thai Government scholar, Sun recognises the transformative power of education and is committed to giving back to the society. Proceeds of the concert will be donated, in equal amount, to the Education for Development Foundation, which promotes equitable access to educational opportunities for underprivileged children and youth in Thailand (www.edfthai.org), and the Paintbrush Foundation, which provides free arts and music education for underprivileged children of the Khlong Toey slum (https://paintbrushfoundation.org/).