Nirat Khlong Si: A Composition for Jazz Ensembles

Abstract

Nirat Khlong Si (/níʔrâːt khloːŋ sìː/): A Composition for Jazz Ensembles is a piece of program music with the objective of creating a work that integrates the Khlong Si Suphap (/khloːŋ sìː suʔphâːp/) (a traditional Thai poetic form) with jazz music. Additionally, it aims to be performed for the public. The anticipated benefits, aligned with these objectives, include the creation of a composition that integrates the Khlong Si Suphap with jazz music, its public performance, and the potential for this work to serve as a foundation for further compositions or adaptations for different ensembles. Moreover, it may contribute to the international promotion of Thai culture.

The conceptual framework of Nirat Khlong Si: A Composition for Jazz Ensembles is grounded in the idea that this work will serve as a piece of program music for jazz ensembles, developed through the fusion of Thai poetry, known as ‘Khlong Si Suphap,’ with jazz music. It aims to create a compelling narrative that bridges two cultures with distinct contexts, origins, and traditions, while fostering a profound and harmonious connection. This fusion strives to unite these two distinct art forms into a cohesive, innovative musical expression. To achieve this, the composition will include a reciter who will read the ‘Khlong Si Suphap’ poetry composed by the author, following the prescribed metrical pattern and reciting it with a melodious tone to emphasize the clarity of the fusion. Building upon this conceptual framework, the composition is designed with 3 movements, each reflecting a different approach to blending Khlong Si Suphap poetry. To complement this concept, the main melody is crafted to evoke the melodic style of Khlong Si Suphap recitation. Thus, the composition is titled Nirat Khlong Si, symbolizing a journey from the homeland of jazz music to an encounter with Khlong Si Suphap poetry. (‘Nirat’ means a narrative that describes separation or departure from one's home to another place.) Therefore, this work represents an attempt to blend the structured and precise compositional framework of Thai poetry, specifically ‘Khlong Si Suphap’ with the flexible and improvisational nature of jazz, a genre characterized by its unique spontaneity and integration of diverse musical styles throughout its evolution. It explores new territories in music and culture, seeking to achieve a balance between the two traditions. In doing so, it embodies a process of integrating the knowledge systems of these two cultures into a new, innovative musical composition.

Based on the preceding details, the research for creation process must focus on three key aspects to achieve its objectives: 1) Concepts and examples of compositions that integrate cultural elements with music, 2) Khlong Si Suphap as a source material for musical composition, and 3) Jazz composition techniques, theories, and principles. These aspects provide the framework for literature review, theoretical study, and related research. Once this framework is established, further research is conducted using key resources, such as books, research papers, theses, journals, articles, among others, as well as multimedia sources such as CDs and video materials, which are systematically synthesized and applied to the composition methodology to fulfill the creative goals of this work.

For the composition methodology, after gathering the necessary information according to the established framework, the process can be summarized from the preparation phase of the composition through to the final conclusion into 11 main steps. The first step involves defining the conceptual framework of the story for the 3 movements of the composition: Movement 1 marks the beginning of the journey for jazz music, represented by a character who becomes interested in Khlong Si Suphap poetry and begins studying its recitation in their own understanding; Movement 2, the jazz character encounters Khlong Si Suphap poetry, portrayed as a new character entering the scene; Movement 3, the jazz character becomes immersed and joyful in the poetry, while the Khlong Si Suphap poetry character embraces jazz music, symbolizing a collaborative creation of art. After establishing the concepts for each movement, the next step is to develop a fusion of Khlong Si Suphap poetry that aligns with the storyline, for example, determining the melodic approach based on the recitation style, composing 5 poems in the Khlong Si Suphap form, aligning the melody with the rules of Samphat (Rhyme) of Khlong Si Suphap. Following this, the next phase involves preparing the musical composition concept and techniques to be used. Then, the creation of the 3 movements begins, followed by rehearsals and public performances to present the composition. Finally, the conclusion.

Nirat Khlong Si: A Composition for Jazz Ensembles resulted in a work consisting of three movements that incorporate elements related to Khlong Si Suphap and follow the narrative concept in the manner of program music. Each movement employs various compositional ideas and techniques, such as the use of Næo Thamnong Ek—a main melody derived from the structure of Khlong Si Suphap, the alignment of time signatures with the rhythmic phrasing of traditional Thai prosody specific to Khlong Si Suphap, and the collaboration with an expert in reciting Khlong Si Suphap in traditional Thai prosody alongside the music. On the technical side, the composition includes specific techniques, such as Voicing Techniques and Approach Techniques.