Korphai
Encyclopedia
Korphai Ensemble or
Korphai, kor phai, which literally means a 'bunch of bamboo
', is an ensemble
of traditional Thai
percussion music
.
It was established in the 1980s by Anant Narkkong, the present musical director of the ensemble, who is a professor of ethnomusicology
and composition
at the Faculty of Music, Silpakorn University
, Thailand
He also airs a radio program of Thai music at the Thailand National Radio Broadcasting.
, as well as Thai contemporary music. Throughout the past 20 years, Korphai has released a number of albums and performed in numerous public concerts in Thailand, including a performance with the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra. The group has also performed abroad, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Paris, Amsterdam and Berlin.
The groups is also involved in the music used in Thai films
, documentaries, theatres, plays, and festival presentations, such as "Thai Percussion Days 2004" (Vienna
). Their music was used in the Thai films, The Legend of Suriyothai
(2001) and The Overture
(2004). The Overture won Best Music with Kor Phai named as co-recipient in Star Entertainment Awards 2004 and Bangkok Critics Assembly Awards
In 2005, at the concert dedicated to the 55th anniversary of Thai-Cambodia
n diplomatic relations at the Chaktomuk Theatre, the performance of the ensemble "won accolades from members of Cambodian royal family", Bangkok Post
reported.
“The starry night” Thai string ensemble; compositions by H.M.King Rama VII
1992
“The Khmer spy” Experimental ensemble; various composers before 1930
1999
“The white foreigner” Thai strings with organ, violin and Cimbalon; compositions by Luang Pradithphairoh
2000
“Elephant eats bamboo leaves” Piphat mainuam ensemble; compositions by Luang Pradithphairoh
2001
“Song of Lamentation” Mahoree ensemble; compositions by Luang Pradithphairoh
2001
“A tribute to Luang Pradithphairoh” Angkalung with electronics; compositions by Luang Pradithphairoh
2003
“Kru Banlengʼs Children Songs” Piphat mainuam ensemble with vocals; compositions by kru Bangleng Sagarik
2003
“Sleeping Angel” Thai string ensemble; compositions by kru Meekhaek
2003
“Cheerful Lady” Thai string ensemble; compositions by kru Meekhaek
2004
“Movie soundtrack: The Overture” Piphat ensemble and Ranat ek solo; compositions by Luang Pradithphairoh Arr : Chaibhuk Patrachinda, Anant Narkkong, Boonrat Siriratnabhan
2004
“The Great Chaopraya Composer” Piphat mainuam ensemble; compositions by Luang Pradithphairoh
2004
“The Delightful Overture” various Piphat ensembles and Ranat ek solo; compositions by Luang Pradithphairoh, kru Boonyong Kethkong, khun charoendontreekan
2004
“Lovely Fillings, Lovely Feelings” various Piphat ensembles and saw ou solo; compositions by Chaibhuk Patrachinda, kru Kloy na Bangchang, Prince Pichaimahintarodom, kru Meekhaek, Tuangsri Worrawan, Luang Pradithphairoh
2005
“The Overture” Original music from the traditional Thai Puppet Theatre, Collaboration work: Korphai and Joe Louise Theatre
2007
“Bamboo Sounds, Bamboo Songs”. Judprakai Concert Series, Nation Press.
USA
University of Illinois, Dhammaram Temple Chicago, Kent State University Ohio
2002
MALAYSIA
Lecture-Demonstration: Center of Southeast Asian Studies, University of Malaya
Concert: Soka Gakkai Malaysia, Wisma Kebudayaan SGM, Kualalumpur
2003
MALAYSIA
Concert: Soka Gakkai Malaysia, Wisma Kebudayaan SGM, Kualalumpur
2004
AUSTRIA
Workshop on Thai Percussion days, University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna
Concert: Konzerthaus, Vienna
Concert: Argekultur, Salzburg
Concert and Workshop: Freistadt
2004
UNITED KINGDOM
Workshop-Lecture: School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London
Concert: Thai Music Circle, the Royal Thai Embassy, London
2004
SCOTLAND
Workshop and Concerts: Intercultural Music Festival, Edinburgh
Workshop - Thai and Chinese Music, Glasgow
2004
MALAYSIA
Concert: Tribute to H.M. Queen Sirikit, the Royal Thai Embassy, Kualalumpur
Lecture-Demonstration: The International Islamic University, Kualalumpur
2004
SOUTH KOREA
Concert: Asia-Pacific Night, CISAC World Congress, COEX Convention and Exhibition
Center, SOUL
Lecture and Demonstration: Chung Ang University – Soeul, Keimyang University – Daegu, Ulsan University (World Music Conference)
2005
MACAO
Concert: Thai Night, 54th PATA World Conference.
2005
TAIWAN
Concert: the National Chiang Kai-Shek Cultural Center, Taipei, the Republic of China
2005
FRANCE
Concert: 4th Queille Festival, Toulouse, the Queille trust. In memory of Peter Rage, the Tsunami victims.
2005
CAMBODIA
Concert: 50th Anniversary of Thai-Cambodian Diplomacy relationship
Performed at the Royal Thai Embassy and Chatumuk Concert Hall, PhnomPenh
2006
CAMBODIA
Concert: 50th Anniversary of Thai-Cambodian Diplomacy relationship
Collaboration with artists from the Royal University of Fine Arts Phnom Penh, Performed at the Royal Thai Embassy PhnomPenh
2006 SWITZERLAND
Concert: Swiss Red Cross Ball, Niut des Orchidees, Geneva
2006 TAIWAN
Concert: Tribute to H.M. King Bhumipol in 60th anniversary of royal coronation, Taipei
2008 SCOTLAND
Concert: “Dialogue of Wind and Bamboo” Intercultural Music Festival, Edinburgh
2009 KOREA
Joint Workshop of the ASEAN-Korea Traditional Music Orchestra, Seoul
National Music Contest, the national theatre
2004
“The Overture” Best Film Music and Score, Hamburger Award
2005
“The Overture” Best Film Music and Score, Thailand Critics Association
2005
“The Overture” Best Film Music, Thailand Media Association
Ancient repertoire and selected compositions from famous Thai composers.
2. Folk-Pop music
Variety of songs; ranging from Thai folks to international popular music.
3. Fusion Jazz music
Variety of Thai songs rearranged in fusion style.
4. Asian-mix
Musics of Southeast Asian; rearranged in flexible performance style including stage movements.
5. experimental music
Improvisations & Compositions from modern Thai composers plus multi-media presentations.
6. Theatre Music / Film Music
// work: Lecturer, Faculty of Music, SilpakornUniversity
Mr.Prasarn Wongwirojrak - Vibraphone, Percussions
// work: Manager, Siammusica Ltd.
Mr. Chaibhuk Bhutrachinda - Composer, Gongs, Electric Guitar
// work: Government officer, the office of Industrial standardization, Ministry of Industry
Mr. Asdavuth Sagarik - Ranat, gongs, khim, Photographer
// work: Lecturer, College of Music, Mahidol University
Mr. Banhan Palo - Drums, Instruments Tuner
// work: Music teacher, St. Gabrielʼs school Bangkok
Mr. Lerkiat Mahavinijchaimontri - Fiddle, coordinator
// work:: Government officer, the Institute of Music and Drama, Fine Arts Department, Ministry of Culture
Mr. Thawisak Akarawong - Leading Xylophone
// work:: Government officer, the Institute of Music and Drama, Fine Arts Department, Ministry of Culture
Mr. Tossaporn Tassana - Drums, technician
// work: Security System Expert
Ms. Kanokporn Tassana - Singer
// work: Voice Instructor
Mr. Amon Bhuthanu - Keyboar, Gongs, xylophone
// work: Freelance
Mr. Akkrapon Apicho - Bass
// work: Security System Expert
Korphai, kor phai, which literally means a 'bunch of bamboo
Bamboo
Bamboo is a group of perennial evergreens in the true grass family Poaceae, subfamily Bambusoideae, tribe Bambuseae. Giant bamboos are the largest members of the grass family....
', is an ensemble
Musical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...
of traditional Thai
Music of Thailand
The music of Thailand reflects its geographic position at the intersection of China and India, and reflects trade routes that have historically included Persia, Africa, Greece and Rome...
percussion music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
.
It was established in the 1980s by Anant Narkkong, the present musical director of the ensemble, who is a professor of ethnomusicology
Ethnomusicology
Ethnomusicology is defined as "the study of social and cultural aspects of music and dance in local and global contexts."Coined by the musician Jaap Kunst from the Greek words ἔθνος ethnos and μουσική mousike , it is often considered the anthropology or ethnography of music...
and composition
Musical composition
Musical composition can refer to an original piece of music, the structure of a musical piece, or the process of creating a new piece of music. People who practice composition are called composers.- Musical compositions :...
at the Faculty of Music, Silpakorn University
Silpakorn University
Silpakorn University is a well-known public university in Thailand. The university was founded in Bangkok in 1943 by Italian-born art professor Corrado Feroci, who took the Thai name Silpa Bhirasri when he became a Thai citizen. It is the leading Thai university in the fine arts and archaeology,...
, Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
He also airs a radio program of Thai music at the Thailand National Radio Broadcasting.
Music
The group plays Thai classical, or piphatPiphat
A piphat is a kind of ensemble in the classical music of Thailand, which features wind and percussion instruments. It is considered the primary form of ensemble for the interpretation of the most sacred and "high-class" compositions of the Thai classical repertoire, including the Buddhist...
, as well as Thai contemporary music. Throughout the past 20 years, Korphai has released a number of albums and performed in numerous public concerts in Thailand, including a performance with the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra. The group has also performed abroad, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Paris, Amsterdam and Berlin.
The groups is also involved in the music used in Thai films
Cinema of Thailand
The cinema of Thailand dates back to the early days of filmmaking, when King Chulalongkorn's 1897 visit to Bern, Switzerland was recorded by Francois-Henri Lavancy-Clarke. The film was then brought to Bangkok, where it was exhibited...
, documentaries, theatres, plays, and festival presentations, such as "Thai Percussion Days 2004" (Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
). Their music was used in the Thai films, The Legend of Suriyothai
The Legend of Suriyothai
The Legend of Suriyothai is a 2001 Thai film directed by Chatrichalerm Yukol, telling the story of Queen Suriyothai, who died in a battle in 1548 against Burmese invaders...
(2001) and The Overture
The Overture
The Overture is a 2004 Thai musical-drama film. A fictionalised account based on the life story of Thai palace musician Luang Pradit Phairoh , it follows the life of a Thai classical musician from the late 19th century to the 1940s...
(2004). The Overture won Best Music with Kor Phai named as co-recipient in Star Entertainment Awards 2004 and Bangkok Critics Assembly Awards
In 2005, at the concert dedicated to the 55th anniversary of Thai-Cambodia
Cambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
n diplomatic relations at the Chaktomuk Theatre, the performance of the ensemble "won accolades from members of Cambodian royal family", Bangkok Post
Bangkok Post
The Bangkok Post is a broadsheet, English-language daily newspaper published in Bangkok, Thailand. The first issue was sold on August 1, 1946. It had four pages and cost 1 baht, a considerable amount at the time....
reported.
Discography
- 2007 - Korphai : Bamboo Songs Bamboo Sounds
- 2004 - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: The Overture
- 2003 - Homrak Hom Rong (The Delightful Overture) (Label: Nong Taprachan)
- Ratree Pradap Dao
Korphai CD bio
1991“The starry night” Thai string ensemble; compositions by H.M.King Rama VII
1992
“The Khmer spy” Experimental ensemble; various composers before 1930
1999
“The white foreigner” Thai strings with organ, violin and Cimbalon; compositions by Luang Pradithphairoh
2000
“Elephant eats bamboo leaves” Piphat mainuam ensemble; compositions by Luang Pradithphairoh
2001
“Song of Lamentation” Mahoree ensemble; compositions by Luang Pradithphairoh
2001
“A tribute to Luang Pradithphairoh” Angkalung with electronics; compositions by Luang Pradithphairoh
2003
“Kru Banlengʼs Children Songs” Piphat mainuam ensemble with vocals; compositions by kru Bangleng Sagarik
2003
“Sleeping Angel” Thai string ensemble; compositions by kru Meekhaek
2003
“Cheerful Lady” Thai string ensemble; compositions by kru Meekhaek
2004
“Movie soundtrack: The Overture” Piphat ensemble and Ranat ek solo; compositions by Luang Pradithphairoh Arr : Chaibhuk Patrachinda, Anant Narkkong, Boonrat Siriratnabhan
2004
“The Great Chaopraya Composer” Piphat mainuam ensemble; compositions by Luang Pradithphairoh
2004
“The Delightful Overture” various Piphat ensembles and Ranat ek solo; compositions by Luang Pradithphairoh, kru Boonyong Kethkong, khun charoendontreekan
2004
“Lovely Fillings, Lovely Feelings” various Piphat ensembles and saw ou solo; compositions by Chaibhuk Patrachinda, kru Kloy na Bangchang, Prince Pichaimahintarodom, kru Meekhaek, Tuangsri Worrawan, Luang Pradithphairoh
2005
“The Overture” Original music from the traditional Thai Puppet Theatre, Collaboration work: Korphai and Joe Louise Theatre
2007
“Bamboo Sounds, Bamboo Songs”. Judprakai Concert Series, Nation Press.
International Tour Data
1999USA
University of Illinois, Dhammaram Temple Chicago, Kent State University Ohio
2002
MALAYSIA
Lecture-Demonstration: Center of Southeast Asian Studies, University of Malaya
Concert: Soka Gakkai Malaysia, Wisma Kebudayaan SGM, Kualalumpur
2003
MALAYSIA
Concert: Soka Gakkai Malaysia, Wisma Kebudayaan SGM, Kualalumpur
2004
AUSTRIA
Workshop on Thai Percussion days, University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna
Concert: Konzerthaus, Vienna
Concert: Argekultur, Salzburg
Concert and Workshop: Freistadt
2004
UNITED KINGDOM
Workshop-Lecture: School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London
Concert: Thai Music Circle, the Royal Thai Embassy, London
2004
SCOTLAND
Workshop and Concerts: Intercultural Music Festival, Edinburgh
Workshop - Thai and Chinese Music, Glasgow
2004
MALAYSIA
Concert: Tribute to H.M. Queen Sirikit, the Royal Thai Embassy, Kualalumpur
Lecture-Demonstration: The International Islamic University, Kualalumpur
2004
SOUTH KOREA
Concert: Asia-Pacific Night, CISAC World Congress, COEX Convention and Exhibition
Center, SOUL
Lecture and Demonstration: Chung Ang University – Soeul, Keimyang University – Daegu, Ulsan University (World Music Conference)
2005
MACAO
Concert: Thai Night, 54th PATA World Conference.
2005
TAIWAN
Concert: the National Chiang Kai-Shek Cultural Center, Taipei, the Republic of China
2005
FRANCE
Concert: 4th Queille Festival, Toulouse, the Queille trust. In memory of Peter Rage, the Tsunami victims.
2005
CAMBODIA
Concert: 50th Anniversary of Thai-Cambodian Diplomacy relationship
Performed at the Royal Thai Embassy and Chatumuk Concert Hall, PhnomPenh
2006
CAMBODIA
Concert: 50th Anniversary of Thai-Cambodian Diplomacy relationship
Collaboration with artists from the Royal University of Fine Arts Phnom Penh, Performed at the Royal Thai Embassy PhnomPenh
2006 SWITZERLAND
Concert: Swiss Red Cross Ball, Niut des Orchidees, Geneva
2006 TAIWAN
Concert: Tribute to H.M. King Bhumipol in 60th anniversary of royal coronation, Taipei
2008 SCOTLAND
Concert: “Dialogue of Wind and Bamboo” Intercultural Music Festival, Edinburgh
2009 KOREA
Joint Workshop of the ASEAN-Korea Traditional Music Orchestra, Seoul
AWARDS
1983National Music Contest, the national theatre
2004
“The Overture” Best Film Music and Score, Hamburger Award
2005
“The Overture” Best Film Music and Score, Thailand Critics Association
2005
“The Overture” Best Film Music, Thailand Media Association
FIELDS OF KORPHAI MUSICAL WORKS
1. Traditional Thai Music: Piphat, Mahoree, KruangsaiAncient repertoire and selected compositions from famous Thai composers.
2. Folk-Pop music
Variety of songs; ranging from Thai folks to international popular music.
3. Fusion Jazz music
Variety of Thai songs rearranged in fusion style.
4. Asian-mix
Musics of Southeast Asian; rearranged in flexible performance style including stage movements.
5. experimental music
Improvisations & Compositions from modern Thai composers plus multi-media presentations.
6. Theatre Music / Film Music
KORPHAI MUSICIANS
Mr. Anant Narkkong - Music Director, Percussions// work: Lecturer, Faculty of Music, SilpakornUniversity
Mr.Prasarn Wongwirojrak - Vibraphone, Percussions
// work: Manager, Siammusica Ltd.
Mr. Chaibhuk Bhutrachinda - Composer, Gongs, Electric Guitar
// work: Government officer, the office of Industrial standardization, Ministry of Industry
Mr. Asdavuth Sagarik - Ranat, gongs, khim, Photographer
// work: Lecturer, College of Music, Mahidol University
Mr. Banhan Palo - Drums, Instruments Tuner
// work: Music teacher, St. Gabrielʼs school Bangkok
Mr. Lerkiat Mahavinijchaimontri - Fiddle, coordinator
// work:: Government officer, the Institute of Music and Drama, Fine Arts Department, Ministry of Culture
Mr. Thawisak Akarawong - Leading Xylophone
// work:: Government officer, the Institute of Music and Drama, Fine Arts Department, Ministry of Culture
Mr. Tossaporn Tassana - Drums, technician
// work: Security System Expert
Ms. Kanokporn Tassana - Singer
// work: Voice Instructor
Mr. Amon Bhuthanu - Keyboar, Gongs, xylophone
// work: Freelance
Mr. Akkrapon Apicho - Bass
// work: Security System Expert
External links
- Korphai profile at the Cultural Projects Factory
- "Korphai "Colourful Thai Percussion"
- Electroacoustic piece at the Mahidol University library. Commission by Patravadi Theatre, Live Premiere at Konzerthaus Wien, Austria in 2004 by Korphai Ensemble