Korphai ensemble


Brief History

Korphai, literally means “a bunch of bamboo”, is a new generation of Thai musicians who have continued together on their musical journey since their high-school days until now. The story began in 1980 when Anant Narkkong, the present musical director of the ensemble, gathered members of his family and friends and established a circle of young amateur musicians. The group became more widely known in 1983 when it won a prestigious national music contest. Ever since, the name Korphai has remained famous amongst various groups of Thai music lovers. Korphai has diversity musical characteristics; the group fantastically widens their works from traditional based into other cross-over areas such as folk-pop, popular, fusion jazz, Asian-mix, and experimental music. The ensemble is also unique in that many of its multi-talented members are musicians by interest, rather than by profession. Yet its professionalism is unquestionable and the group's image as a new hope of Thai music remains unchallenged.

The group is internationally renowned for its excellent rendition of Thai Classical Music as well as Contemporary Music explorations. Throughout the past 20 years, Korphai has been released a number of CD albums and performed in numerous public concerts in Thailand and aboard including Malaysia, Austria, England, Scotland, USA, South Korea, Taiwan, France, and Cambodia. Many of concerts especially in Thailand obtained highly admirations by audiences and critics. The group also frequently participates with other leading Thailand ensembles and celebrated artists such as Bangkok Symphony Orchestra, Fong Naam, Dhanit Sriklindee. In addition; Korphai gives lecture-demonstrations and workshops in Thai music for educational and cultural-appreciation purposes.

Korphai has extensively involved in making background music for Thai films, documentaries, theatre events, plays, experimental dances and festival presentations. One of their recently successful works was original music for a hugely booming Thai film “Homr”, inspired by the life of the greatest Thai xylophonist and foremost composer of 19th century Luang Pradithphairoh. The film was launched in February 2004 and received highly acclaimed by international critics as well as numerous motion picture awards including best film music. In this year 2006, the group is working with new Thai ghost film in relation to the supernatural Perngmang drums.




Korphai CD bio

1991 “The starry night”
Thai string ensemble; compositions by H.M.King Rama VII

1992“The Khmer spy”
Experimental ensemble; various composers before 1930

1999“The white foreigner”
Thai strings with organ, violin and Cimbalon; compositions by Luang Pradithphairoh

2000 “Elephant eats bamboo leaves”
Piphat mainuam ensemble; compositions by Luang Pradithphairoh

2001“Song of Lamentation”
Mahoree ensemble; compositions by Luang Pradithphairoh
2001“A tribute to Luang Pradithphairoh”
Angkalung with electronics; compositions by Luang Pradithphairoh
2003“Kru Banleng’s Children Songs”
Piphat mainuam ensemble with vocals; compositions by kru Bangleng Sagarik

2003“Sleeping Angel”
Thai string ensemble; compositions by kru Meekhaek

2003“Cheerful Lady”
Thai string ensemble; compositions by kru Meekhaek

2004“Movie soundtrack: The Overture”
Piphat ensemble and Ranat ek solo; compositions by Luang Pradithphairoh
Arr : Chaibhuk Patrachinda, Anant Narkkong, Boonrat Siriratnabhan

2004“The Great Chaopraya Composer”
Piphat mainuam ensemble; compositions by Luang Pradithphairoh

2004“The Delightful Overture”
various Piphat ensembles and Ranat ek solo;
compositions by Luang Pradithphairoh, kru Boonyong Kethkong, khun
charoendontreekan

2004“Lovely Fillings, Lovely Feelings”
various Piphat ensembles and saw ou solo;
compositions by Chaibhuk Patrachinda, kru Kloy na Bangchang,
Prince Pichaimahintarodom, kru Meekhaek, Tuangsri Worrawan, Luang
Pradithphairoh

2005“The Overture”
Original music from the traditional Thai Puppet Theatre
Collaboration work: Korphai and Joe Louise Theatre



International Tour Data

1999USA
University of Illinois, Dhammaram Temple Chicago, Kent State University Ohio

2002MALAYSIA
Lecture-Demonstration: Center of Southeast Asian Studies, University of Malaya
Concert: Soka Gakkai Malaysia, Wisma Kebudayaan SGM, Kualalumpur

2003MALAYSIA
Concert: Soka Gakkai Malaysia, Wisma Kebudayaan SGM, Kualalumpur

2004AUSTRIA
Workshop on Thai Percussion days, University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna
Concert: Konzerthaus, Vienna
Concert: Argekultur, Salzburg
Concert and Workshop: Freistadt

2004UNITED KINGDOM
Workshop-Lecture: School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS),
University of London
Concert: Thai Music Circle, the Royal Thai Embassy, London

2004SCOTLAND
Workshop and Concerts: Intercultural Music Festival, Edinburgh
Workshop - Thai and Chinese
Music, Glasgow

2004MALAYSIA
Concert: Tribute to H.M. Queen Sirikit, the Royal Thai Embassy, Kualalumpur
Lecture-Demonstration: The International Islamic University, Kualalumpur

2004SOUTH KOREA
Concert: Asia-Pacific Night, CISAC World Congress, COEX Convention and Exhibition Center, SOUL
Lecture and Demonstration: Chung Ang University – Soeul, Keimyang University – Daegu, Ulsan University (World Music Conference)

2005MACAO
Concert: Thai Night, 54th PATA World Conference.

2005TAIWAN
Concert: the National Chiang Kai-Shek Cultural Center, Taipei, the Republic of China

2005FRANCE
Concert: 4th Queille Festival, Toulouse, the Queille trust. In memory of Peter Rage,
the Tsunami victims.

2005CAMBODIA
Concert: 50th Anniversary of Thai-Cambodian Diplomacy relationship
Performed at the Royal Thai Embassy and Chatumuk Concert Hall, PhnomPenh

2006CAMBODIA
Concert: 50th Anniversary of Thai-Cambodian Diplomacy relationship
Collaboration with artists from the Royal University of Fine Arts Phnom Penh,
Performed at the Royal Thai Embassy PhnomPenh



AWARDS

1983National Music Contest, the national theatre

2004“The Overture” Best Film Music and Score, Hamburger Award

2005“The Overture” Best Film Music and Score, Thailand Critics Association

2005“The Overture” Best Film Music, Thailand Media Association



FIELDS OF KORPHAI MUSICAL WORKS

1.Traditional Thai Music: Piphat, Mahoree, Kruangsai
Ancient repertoire and selected compositions from famous Thai composers.
2.folk-pop music
Variety of songs; ranging from Thai folks to international popular music.
3.fusion jazz music
Variety of Thai songs rearranged in fusion style.
4.Asian-mix
Musics of Southeast Asian; rearranged in flexible performance style including stage moverments.
5.experimental music
Improvisations & Compositions from modern Thai composers plus multi-media presentations.
6. Theatre Music / Film Music





Korphai Musicians

Mr. Anant NarkkongMusic Director, Percussions
Lecturer, College of Music, Mahidol University

Mr. Asdavuth Sagarik Ranat, gongs, khim, Photographer
Lecturer, College of Music, Mahidol University

Mr. Banhan Palo Drums, Instruments Tuner
Music teacher, St. Gabriel’s school Bangkok

Mr. Boonrut Siriratanaphan Composer, Arranger, Technicians, Coordinator
Lecturer, College of Music, Mahidol University

Mr. Chaibhuk Bhutrachinda Composer, Fiddle, Gongs, Electric GuitarGovernment officer, the office of Industrial standardization, Ministry of Industry

Mr. Lerkiat Mahavinijchaimontri Fiddle, percussions, coordinator,Government officer, Music Academy, Fine Arts Department,
Ministry of Culture

Mr. Thawisak Akarawong Xylophon Government officer, Music Academy, Fine Arts Department,
Ministry of Culture

Mr. Tossaporn Tassana Drums, gongs, technician
Music teacher, Sornthong School of Music

Ms. Kanokporn TassanaSinger
B.A. Student, Faculty of Humanities, Kasetsart University

Mr. Amon BhuthanuKeyboard
M.A. Student, College of Music, Mahidol University

Mr. Akkrapon ApichoBass
Freelance musician

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