the Other Bangkok Metropolitan Region-based Orchestra Overall English Review
Finally it's the last week ot the month with the final episode of this series!. Even all the important Thai orchestra classical music industry have been written earlier. But there are still a number of Thai orchestras still performing, but not as noticeable as those I written before. Although musicians in the classical music industry seem large of graduates each year. But the musicians who actually go on stage are much less than that. As a result, the field of performing musicians is relatively narrow compared to other arts fields in Thailand. However Thai professional musicians are more independent carrier than most eleswhere, perhaps due less stringent contracts and they wanting to help the classical music industry in the country. Therefore many of coming to perform for many orchestra , both of which I have been mentioned and will be mentioned below. Also some people may be temporary musicians who perform for many orchestra. Among these music groups that I am going to write about, I will mainly count those who have performed continuously at least once a year. Orchestra that are not performing regularly are not included in this article. Bands that use classical instruments to perform old Thai songs such as Suntaraporn will not count and also formal bands to bring the concept of classical music for other purpose than entertaining regelar performances such as army bands will not be included in this list. Which I will set up a total of 9 classical groups in this article. I will sort by the number of searches on Google from highest to lowest. If any groups I've been attent in their performance more than once, I'll rate it the same as the previous group I wrote. If I've never been, I wouldn't rate it. And in the fifth the final episode of Thailand's Symphony Orchestra Overall Review Series presents the Other Bangkok Metropolitan Region-based Orchestra Overall Review.
Thammasat University Symphony Orchestra (TUSO) is an amateur orchestra from Thammasat University. It might seem strange that there isn't even a music faculty in this university. Therefore, the vast majority of musicians are amateur students who have studied music before and have alumni with music knowledge as conductors. Mainly performed Puey Ungphakorn Centenary Hall, Thammasat University, Rangsit Center. Performances are held as most as twice per semester. and because the program is very contemporary. There are not many standard classical music repertoires. Especially from the movie soundtrack, along with the fact that there are not many seats, so it's easy to get a chance to fill up. As I myself have never been to listen there with this orchestra before. So, I not ratting for this orchestra.
NO SCORE RATING
Sugree Charoensuk Orchestra (Thai Symphony Orchestra (TSO) & Dr. Sax Chamber Orchestra) During the time Dr. Sukree Charoensuk was still working at Mahidol University, he set up the Dr. Sax Chamber Orchestra as an extension for teaching and children learning to mostly from Aum Aree Music School. It is another interesting youth musical group that is at a certain level be reach to other youth orchestra However since Dr. Sukree left Mahidol University. He therefore gathered musicians who had the same idea as him either from the Aum Aree Music School or Mahidol University and elsewhere to form a new orchestra called Thai Symphony Orchestra, with the desire to adapt the concept of adapting traditional Thai musical piece or compose modern Thai musical style to be in orchestral performance to perform in various areas outside Bangkok on important occasions as well as broadcast the performance. Therefore, he reduced the role of the Dr. Sax Chamber Orchestra to focus on this orchestra instead. But because of style of performance, usually this orchestra doesn't have regularly schedule. As this orchestra often shown on occasions. Moreover, the works shown are mostly adapted from Thai folk songs. Even overall, as what I've watch on Thai PBS TV channel, or their YouTube channel is quite satisfactory. But overall, it's concerts that I don't care much about. As well as they organize concerts in remote areas, So I don't have any points to attend this orchestra either.
NO SCORE RATING
Italian Thai Youth Orchestra (ITYO) sponsored by the Italian government through the Italian Embassy in Thailand, was established in 2018 to accommodate the 150th anniversary of Thailand-Italy diplomatic relations this orchestra managing or sometime conducted by Harpsichordist Alberto Firrincieli an Italians living in Thailand. The orchestra does not have a fixed main venue but all of performance shown is in Bangkok and its metropolitans. Usually performing at least once a year. Most of the musicians are young Thai people who may have performed with many of the same kind of orchestra before, including recent graduate students. You can watch for free, but you have to make online reservation in advance. Most of the works perform are focused on composers or related to Italians. Although the quality is quite ordinary, but the works shown are exotic for Thai people. And I wasn't expecting these ephemeral orchestra. Overall, the concerts is usable to a certain extent and if it's free to listen, for me it's acceptable.
- Strings: 5.0 - 6.5
- Woodwinds: 4.0 - 5.0
- Brass: 4.5 - 5.0
- Percussions: 6.0 - 7.0
- Conductors: 6.5 - 6.5
- Overall Average: 5.2 - 6.0
The Million Wind Philharmonic (MWP) is a dedicated wind orchestra. It comes from a gathering of musicians, especially woodwinds, and most of the musicians are based in orchestras in Thailand. The goal is to perform works for the wind instrument and want to develop the woodwind group to be more known in Thailand. There may be other sections of instruments in the orchestra, but it is a minority. The orchestra was formed in 2018. Initially, it was formed to participate in music competitions. But later on, after competitions ends the members wanted to maintain the orchestra in order to continue to showcase wind instruments repertoires. Despite its relatively recent formation, the orchestra has performed quite frequently in recent years despite its amateur status. Most of the concerts are performed at Music Hall in Bansomdejchaopraya Rajabhat University. There are quite a variety of repertoire, but most of them will focus on works written specifically for woodwind instruments or original works that are rearranging for wind band. There may also be adaptations of contemporary media such as movies. However, I'm a bit disappointed that I haven't had a chance to really attend their concert yet. Due to the occasion and time that doesn't fit, me as well as another performance venue in Thonburi side that is not yet conducive.
NO SCORE RATING
National Symphony Orchestra of Thailand (NSOT) This orchestra manage by Fine Arts Department, under the Ministry of Culture. According to many sources to history of classical music in Thailand, this orchestra is the oldest in Thailand, founded in 1911, and legally considered as National Orchestra in Thailand because it has been supported by the royalty and the government continuously. But nowadays this is the weakest professional orchestra in Thailand. There are very few concerts in their name. Moreover, its recognition within the music industry is very limited. One of major reasons is they usually perform mostly works related to the royal family. Generally, the standard classical repertoires they usually held no more than three times a year, and there may also be concerts of Thai traditional songs. The orchestra performs mainly at the National Theater, also the oldest performance hall in Thailand as well. But the skill of the musicians including soloists who come to perform are Thai people who in government service. But the musician skill is so vast that even the simplest piece still shows many errors. In addition, the National Theater is established for Khon Thai traditional stage performances is not suitable for concerts also it is difficult to get into and find a place to parking. But it's good that the entrance fee is not expensive, if you have free time, the listening to their performance in enjoyable.
- Strings: 6.0 - 8.0
- Woodwinds: 5.5 - 7.5
- Brass: 5.0 - 6.5
- Percussions: 7.0 - 8.0
- Conductors: 5.0 - 7.0
- Overall Average: 5.7 - 7.4
Bangkok Metropolitain Orchestra (BMO) This Orchestra is the newest in Thailand. It was established as a result of restructuring and separating within Culture, Sports and Tourism Department, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). this new orchestra was formed by most of the musicians who were already under the Bangkok government service. However, since this orchestra was formed, they did not accept new members, so the number was limited, but core members of this orchestra had previous experience at larger orchestra, so it was considered as very strong group. With they used temporary members and combined with other small orchestra to perform in standard concert in each time. Since orchestra founded the schedule and performances is uncertain but there are activities that are constantly being performed from the management among the musicians. Although this orchestra is already performing in a public manage by BMA, the standard form of performance concert is like an orchestra concert in general, where the entire concert doesn't take as much time as other orchestra. In addition, there are teachers from the music faculties in Thailand major universities invited as solo artists in each concert. But due to the orchestra's early performance was perfrom during the pendemic, there weren't very noticeable performances. In addition, the quality of the performances, although they can't compete with the big orchestra they have to admit it because the core members are not very good, and the volunteer musicians themselves don't very well also. But for me it is considered as best it should be. My advice for this orchestra is if budget management from BMA can't manage to funded orchestra fully. It's better to manage this group as a chamber orchestra or create chamber music group as there are many example in the world. And also relying on joint perfromeance with other smaller orchestra can continue to produce many regular concerts appropriate. In addition, I look forward the current Governor of Bangkok Mr.Chadchart Sittipunt's policy to promote outdoor activities for more people to attent in the public areas of Bangkok. This orchestra and the core members' chamber band should therefore benefit from this policy as well. It might also be because this orchestra that doesn't have main venue. But due to supported by Kasetsart University, Therefore they often go to perform at the Auditorium Building in Faculty of Humanities, Kasetsart University, Bang Khen (which located in Chatuchak district area) often, although I actually had no problems with that (due to very good acoustic). But due to the large number of auditoriums overseen by BMA. The Department in charge of this orchestra should be able to ask for cooperation to perform in those places including future outdoor performances as well
- Strings: 6.5 - 7.0
- Woodwinds: 6.5 -7.5
- Brass: 5.0 - 6.5
- Percussions: 6.0 - 7.0
- Conductors: 6.0 - 6.5
- Overall Average: 6.0 - 6.9
MAITAI Orchestra was founded and managed by Danu Hantrakul since 1987. He is the pioneer of Thai music performance in the orchestra performing style with well-known Thai musicians. This orchestra was found from the idea that they wanted to bring the authentic Thai style of music to present to both Thai and foreign listeners. From adapted the traditional Thai songs or Luk Krung songs to be arranged to perform by an orchestra or compose especically for their concerts featuring many Thai singers. Usually, the orchestra will regroup from time to time to perform a serie of concerts once a year that may be one or several times when appropriate. They are usually perform at a small auditorium, Thailand Cultural Center. Maybe there will be a performance at the Main Hall if the royalty is present. In the past the orchestra has perform wide variety of concerts that have been held over the years, as well as being release their perfromace on cassette tapes or CDs. However like the Thai Symphony Orchestra, I'm not interested in listening to this orchestra as much, so I don't have a score. So if you want to listen to Thai music in western style, this band can answer you.
NO SCORE RATING
Princess Galyani Vadhana Institute of Music Youth Orchestra (PYO) Is last orchestra I would to write about. As this orchestra feature many musician from Princess Galyani Vadhana Institute of Music this institution is the only Thailand solely western classical music conservative. Because all musicians study in this institution and conductors are probably invited by famous teachers from America and Europe. The performances are diverse and works are satisfying to the serious listeners. In general, it is considered that the performance quality is second only to the Thai Youth Orchestra, But because it is a youth encemble the opportunity to perform in concert is very few, at most 3 - 4 times in academic year, even though there are many chamber music performances. But main weakness is the main venue, Sangita Vadhana Hall. (as quality as same as the MACM Hall in Mahidol University) within the hall(as well as the entire institute area) is very small. There are not enough seats which no more than 150 seats can not meet the demand of the audience. Even online booking in advance is not enough and if you are late you may not be able to attend. In addition, traveling to see the venue is not very convenient as well.
- Strings: 6.5 - 7.5
- Woodwinds: 7.0 - 8.0
- Brass: 6.5 - 7.5
- Percussions: 6.0 - 6.5
- Conductors: 5.0 - 7.5
- Overall Average: 6.2 - 7.4
Finally, before the end of the series that has taken a long time to write in this whole month. I would like to say thanks to those who read all the articles from start to finish. I want to remind you that all of information of this detailed reviews are the result of all my personal listening attending alone in the last 5 years (2017 - 2022). Some information s the time you read it might change. In the future, there will be something interesting to write in such a long series again, I will let you know in advance.
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