Dr Narong Prangcharoen, dean of the College of Music, says this event is a must-see for fans of the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra, or "Thailand Phil", throughout the 2022/23 season.
He said that this year, Thailand Phil is determined to offer its audience a new experience of celebration full of happiness, delight and excitement.
"We have made some tune-up, with the addition of world-renowned musicians, like the Boston Brass band, pianist Alexander Kobrin, and opera singer Dorothea Herbert," the dean said.
According to him, the college also has published the Family Concert Children's Book, the first interactive version of its kind in Thailand.
The Boston Brass quintet from the US city is among the best known globally, serving as the highlight for the opening of the Ecstatic Experiences season. They perform "Liberty Fanfare" by John Williams and "Oblivion" by Astor Piazzolla. The latter part of the concert features the band TPO rendering symphonic works by Spanish composer Manuel de Falla.
Award-winning solo pianist Alexander Kobrin, who won the gold medal at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, performs piano concertos by Sergei Rachmaninoff and a one-hour-long full version of Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 1, on November 26.
Other highlights include an orchestra performance of "Distant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy" from the popular video game series Final Fantasy, which marks its 35th anniversary in December, on December 17-18, and a concert of pop music from movies next February.
"Also, you should not miss the Family Concert Children's Book, a children's book for the orchestra that adds more fun for the readers," Dr Narong said.
He explained that the interactive book allows readers to hear music while reading, with the use of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies. The songs featured in the book are newly composed for this concert series, according to the dean.
There is also a "side-by-side" project that allows music fans to audition for performing with the Thailand Phil on August 5 next year. "This has left a memorable experience for many people who got a chance to play closely with the band members," he said.
World-class musicians taking part in the current series, including opera singer Dorothea Herbert, have agreed to hold workshops and masterclasses at the College of Music to allow its students to learn in person from them. Herbert is scheduled to perform next July.
Meanwhile, the college's campaign for Nakhon Pathom to be recognised as a City of Music is still going strong. The dean said that the College of Music is encouraging the province's communities to take part in its activities, including the 14th Thailand International Jazz Conference (TIJC) and the 52nd International Double Reed Society Conference (IDRS). The latter event will be organised in Thailand for the first time in July 2023, when more than 1,000 people from across the world are expected to attend.
Moreover, communities around the campus are allowed free access to concerts organised by the college to promote equal opportunities to gain happiness from music, according to the dean. This is also a process of "customer creation" on the college's part, he said.
"We want everyone to know that there are many choices for music listening. I'd like to invite interested agencies to come and exchange views with us on social development and people's well-being. We are glad to partner with any agency that sees benefits in our musical performances," said the dean.
You are invited to join this festive celebration with the Thailand Phil during its 2022-2023 season at the Prince Mahidol Hall of Mahidol University's Salaya campus. Details of the concerts are available on its website www.thailandphil.com and its Facebook page www.facebook.com/ThailandPhil/
Source: ไวสแบรนด์
