Somtow Sucharitkul's Organizing Orchestra Overall English Review

    The next orchestra I want to discuss is an orchestra that looks like youth amateur orchestra with serious performances and is recognized internationally. But for Thai people, even those in the classical music industry may not attend their performances very often. Because they occasionally perform overseas, and many of their concerts are difficult to reach. Maybe because of music director's extreme artistry is Somtow Sucharitkul.  Even myself had the opportunity to attended many of his concerts, but I didn't have the opportunity to write any review for you to read as such. And because many of musical groups from chambers music to orchestras (Which we will discuss here) supervised and managed by Khun Somtow, there are many such as Opera Siam, Bangkok Opera, Siam Sinfonietta, Asian Sinfonietta, SIAM PHILHARMONIC, SIAM ORPHEUS CHOIR, etc. There are many members in-between in parallel orchestras, however all of them are tied to one person is Khun Somtow. Therefore, to understand explanation in the same direction. For this article, I will refer to these musical groups as "Somtow Sucharitkul's Organizing Orchestra" (SSOO), and for the third part of Thailand's Symphony Orchestra Overall Review Series, I present Somtow Sucharitkul's Organizing Orchestra Overall Review (SSOO)

Brief history:  With a longstanding interest in classical music performance from his university days in the UK to living in the United States especially from opera and experimental music. When he came to Thailand, he wanted to start a performance of opera music which was very rare to see in Thailand. (As in the time most of general stage theater plays is for novel adaptation drama that use university students or actors or singer who have recordings before and use recording for background music). The earliest orchestra Khun Somtow founded was the Bangkok Opera, which was formed in 2001 under the auspices of Galyani Vadhana, Princess of Naradhiwas (Before the name was later changed to Opera Siam), although at the beginning of its establishment there were performances from well-known operas from famous composers. But most of them perform later are works written by Khun Somtow himself. (As before coming to Thailand, he's writing English novels before) because his mother was a novelist that was later adapted into some Thai TV dramas.

    Later, the Siam Philharmonic Orchestra (formerly MIFA Sinfonietta) was established shortly after in 2002 to showcase popular classics piece at standard repertoire with his musicians. Even not present to be a youth orchestra, however, the age limit for his musicians between 12-25 years, and the smaller ensemble, Siam Sinfonietta, was formed in 2010. Due to his beliefs, the set of musicians he had. at that time (Who born between 1992 and 1997), as well as a training conductor like Trisdee na Patalung is a group that he believes is the best he's ever met, so he tries to perform together as a group to continually show up to push those members forward to be performed in leading Thai orchestra.

    Since then, Khun Somtow has tried to bring all SSOO groups he formed and his compositions to perform both in Thailand and on famous hall in Europe and America with the support of those countries' governments. Received awards or compliments from many parties Although the orchestra that was formed seems to have a large number but nowadays the orchestras that is still regularly performing are Opera Siam and Siam Sinfonietta. In other orchestra, although there is no fold, they have not performed for a long time, probably because the responsibilities party of each orchestra doesn't come to take part. It is believed that if there was a new interest parties, it would bring together the musicians of the two above into another name anyway. In addition, lately, the orchestra has focused on piece Khun Somtow compose that are more original or perform more impressive presentation including making low-budget films like The Maestro: A Symphony of Terror as well.

Performance formats and main venues Although usually performed at the Thailand Cultural Center. But the nature of his concert organize is uncertain at the amateur level. At first, they will discussion brainstorming for ideas from those involved, and then announce in a call-up manner on a case-by-case basis to prepare for the performance of each concert. Rehearse and performing together time-by-time and wait for another event again. Therefore, SSOO's scheduling, and season performance concept is uncertain. A standard season for the orchestra's entire season may only be two concerts, opening and closing seasons. However, I advise you to keep up to date with upcoming concerts from the orchestra's website or Khun Somtow's Facebook account, where he will provide periodic advance notices. Generally hard-to-reach performances usually perform at Small Hall. (In terms of general travel there and about main auditorium, I have already discussed in the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra Overall Review already). There are two areas there: the chairs in front of the stage and the stands seating behind them. Although the front is more expensive, sitting in between the front to the middle of the stands will be more comfortable and sounder. But many times, there are performances in hotels or at various events across the country depending on the nature of the work and the support of each employer. However, because admission to these events often includes meals and poor acoustics in hotels, the cost of admission is high and not very conducive to performances. But it may be a favorite for social events and enjoyment. Seat selection is therefore up to the convenience of the audience. Most of the trips can be parked in hotels and most of them can travel on the rail system in Bangkok already.

Strength:

1. Finding a way to introduce new approaches. Since the works presented in the general orchestral style are very limited. Moreover, being an artist of Khun Somtow who wants to show different approach from being a normal orchestra. He had a point and brought different ideas to present in a unique way such as perform the soundtrack, Rare religious performances including showing low-budget movies as well
2. Have the opportunity to perform abroad regularly. It is something that may not be seen in Thailand news as much. But traveling to perform to include classical music festivals or to compete in foreign countries has built a reputation with Thailand. (Even though not much)
3. Perform rare-to-find pieces. As mentioned before. Some performances require a lot of factors to be successful, but he can bring many of them to live performances and receive a lot of praise. Especially the premiere of all 9 Mahler's symphonies, especially no.8, which is known as difficult, complex and takes a large number of musicians to be successful.

Weakness:

1. Become one of the worst orchestras in term of performance qualities among groups with regular performances. Because the core members are youths with too many differences in musicianship and trying to perform in very demanding orchestra piece that is different from other orchestra whose musicianship may not differ much. But this orchestra, most of the musicianship has very different gaps, both with skill and experience, causing the dissonant sound to clash with each other, often noisy when performing with many musicians. If they are performed in a place that is not subject to listening, the performance may just be acceptable. But if going to the stage, it may be catchy with the performance so easily that the audience can't bear to listen to it and has to leave the concert soon.
2. Rarely performs concerto with orchestra. Maybe because there must be a difficult management, or it is not convenient to arrange the orchestra of Khun Somtow himself. Consequently, there were not many concerti with orchestras in his concerts. There's no problem if you don't mind it, but most of the time, inviting famous soloists will make more people want to attend anyway.
3. Buying tickets that are difficult and many times the price is not reasonable. Due to not receiving direct sponsor from anyone. As a result, the cost of admission to the concert is high, even compared to professional orchestras and it does not correspond to the overall performance. To become a social event or having a social gathering will increase the entrance fee and, for some, who might just want to listen to the performance, it's even more inaccessible. Also, it's harder to find a ticket by using Ticketmellon's service and it's difficult to buy it directly.
4. Proactive solicitation. And as mentioned above and because the concerts organizing take a lot of money. Khun Somtow has to make a lot of effort to earn money so that performances can be happen, but that includes soliciting from the musician's parents or the audience. (Who bought a ticket that was not cheap) Although it may be done with good intentions, but it annoys the people involved quite a bit.
5. Taking advantage of social connections and currents to a negative effect. Because Somtow's grandfather's sister is Queen Sirikit, The Queen Mother. Getting to know many people from his father and mother though socialize. Also including Bandit Ungrangsee's social trends, who is a Thai person, went to conduct international concert. (He is currently not on concerts anymore.) Somtow then tried to use these advantage points to reach many famous people in various social circles. including creating various currents to be heard regularly. And use that opportunity to promote his music or fundraising for SSOO as well. It makes doing many things, even good intentions, become bad on a regular basis. This has resulted in bad interest in the Thai classical music industry also.

Opportunities:

1. Having international connections. Due to working and living in Europe for a long time. This made him known to the circle of European grassroots classical musicians that were not well known, thus driving Thai musicians to perform regularly abroad, there which would benefit Thai musicians in the long run.
2. Being organized by himself. Because the SSOO is driven by Khun Somtow and not many people involved. Makes orchestra's management more convenient and faster than another orchestra. And wanting to present the issue that he is interested in, if it appeals to the target audience it will attract a large audience. (And vice versa) and because of his personality of comfortably, pleasure-loving, humorous and straightforward making the work more accessible with young people, even if the piece they perform is very demanding.
3. Musicians have easier access to Khun Somtow and his orchestra. This is because Khun Somtow's character and includes auditioning members of the orchestra that are less require and giving musicians of different skills a better access to orchestral performances than in other orchestra. In addition, the members are willing to respect to Khun Somtow and have more unity than many orchestras. There are few political problems in the orchestra even though the performances are very unique.

Threats:

1. Khun Somtow's health is deteriorating. Because Khun Somtow is old, still has a duty to manage within the orchestra and has trouble to standing for long periods of time. Making recently for him to siting and conduct orchestra in the actual performance (That hardly anyone does.). That spoils his personality and inevitably worries the group's future.
2. The survival of the orchestra is uncertain. Because SSOO does not have permanent main sponsor at all. Despite the proactive fundraising and support of the musician's parents, the cost of organizing the event was not cheap at all. Particularly paying rent for a venue in Bangkok or airfare for musicians and equipment to go to different places. That would have a huge impact on performing abroad and holding concerts in Bangkok.
3. People perception of the concert was limited. In fact, there is little awareness about classical music in Thailand. But the announcement of the works they performed was much less than that. In addition to public relations related to concerts performed in Thailand is already limited. Causing the general public to not know much about the good activities he did

Suggestions:

1. Organizing the concerts to be more variety including outdoors or international schools. In the past, Khun Somtow has held some concerts outdoor but more of a trend in current news or universally, such as at Wat Phra Kaew on the occasion of the death of King Rama IX, or on the occasion of Beethoven's 250th birthday (which has scaled down). If he can organize an event to promote the industry, the music should be made more according to the occasion. such as organizing in various outdoor places like in the park (like music at the park or Promenade concert), in hotels (some do), even in the courtyard of a shopping mall. Or organizing a concert in the auditorium of an international school is considered good. whether doing all in Bangkok or other provinces It will be able to create opportunities for musicians to perform and to be able to spread performance opportunities further.
2. Allocate duties to each set up and changeable. Because Khun Somtow has a lot of groups, partly because it specifically defines the people involved in each group who have defined to have many clear concept of duties. But when those people disappeared, that group will be inactive for long time. In order for the groups to be able to continue working even at the amateur level, the scope of the groups's duties must be determined by what kind of concerts, musicians' age, and what kind of performances. By giving Khun Somtow himself as the sole music director and giving the responsibility of managing the groups to someone who has the ability to manage it, and it can be changed. (Or Khun Somtow can do it if he can't find the right person if necessary). When the old one doesn't come back, find a new one. Groups that don't play a role will have more work coming in.
3. Khun Somtow has to seriously reduce his role from performing on stage. Even though Trisdee na Patalung has clearly started to play more and more roles with SSOO, Khun Somtow still has a lot of responsibilities over the orchestra. But due to his health as I mention, so that if he can continue to work in the long term, should be upgraded Khun Trisdee in matters related to music performance alone such as performance work, musician management or the development of more new conductors. And Khun Somtow should focus on other things instead like finding places, traveling and fundraising or an MC that he should be good at. Then change Khun Somtow hemself to become the main advisor of SSOO for Trisdee to give some advice about performance.
4. Asking for help from alumni. This is because many of the musicians performing in well-known orchestra may have been in SSOO sometimes before with an acceptable level of talent. To pass on more musical experiences or ideas should invite some of them, either as a guest musician or as a soloist. Their experience will help orchestra play more vividly
5. Create an online supporting fundraiser. Today, there are many online fundraising services such as Patreon, GoFundMe and even Kickstarter to support his long-term work or to create a season-long opera. Although it may not earn much money. But that can be measured very well in his online popularity. Setting up a foundation might have advantages, but it might not be very suitable for him.
6. Bringing live performances to other online platforms. It is easier to distribute your own work than selling CDs or DVDs, but the disadvantage is that there is a high chance of copyright complaints. (If he hadn't copied the sound, it would have performed so well that it would have been compared.) My interesting solution was to create his own website to record the video of the performance. or upgrading the His account to a certified account and bringing those past live performance to music streaming services like Spotify, Tidal, Deezer or even YouTube Music. Yes, it won't be a lot of money, but it will help reduce copyright complaints by a lot. (As many orchestras have performed live on YouTube, but there is no problem at all if those works are public domain.)

Recommend Works I want to hear Because of his fondness for the works of Marler and the German late romantic style. It made me want to hear less often heard of this style, such as Robert Schumann: Symphony No.1, Han Rott: Symphony No.1, Richard Strauss: Also sprach Zarathustra or An Alpine Symphony. It might be a bit difficult to perform an entire Der Ring des Nibelungen in a year. If the show is sold as a set, if there is online fundraising it might be possible.

    Finally, even if the orchestra can expect the least quality. But it is recognized that Khun Somtow is an important person who drives Thai youths in the classical music industry to become more international. Even in the end, musicians (who many people do not want to getting music-making career) may leave the classical music industry. But they were able to create a recognizable classical music scene memory and become a classical music audience in the future.

The total score range is out of ten:

• Strings: 5.0 - 7.0
• Woodwinds: 6.5 - 7.0
• Brass: 5.5 - 6.5
• Percussions: 7.0 - 8.0
• Conductors: 7.0 - 8.0
• Overall Average:  6.2 - 7.0