Doctoral Music Composition: The Portraits of Prasidh Silapabanleng

Abstract

The Doctoral Music Composition “The Portraits of Prasidh Silapabanleng” is intended to create a contemporary piece that integrates the concept of Thai and Japanese music composition with the concept of western music composition and to convey impressive life story of Prasidh Silapabanleng (1912-1999), Thailand’s National Artist in Performing Arts (Composer), who possessed great capabilities in Thai traditional music and western music. This Doctoral Music Composition consists of three movements: Movement 1 “Wang Burabhabhirom” for Pi and Octet, portraying the character of Luang Pradit Phairoh who laid a strong foundation for Prasidh’s professional career; Movement 2 “Tokyo Ongaku Gakko” for Koto and String Quintet, portraying the life of Prasidh during his years of education in Japan; and Movement 3 “Ban Batt” for Pi Nai, Koto and Wind Symphony, portraying the career establishment of Prasidh after returning from Japan. Total duration of the Composition is approximately 35 minutes under Tone Center with the use of unique oriental scales, signifying characteristics of Thai and Japanese music. The work is a further development of contemporary music composition approach which delivers both aesthetic and academic value.