Korphai

Korphai Ensemble orKorphai, Kor Phai, ( _th. กอไผ่) which literally means a 'bunch of bamboo', is an ensemble of traditional Thai percussion music. [ [http://www.sgiquarterly.org/english/Features/quarterly/0504/artsed.htm SGI Quarterly April, 2005 - Arts and Education ] ] [http://vs.schule.at/index.php?modul=news&news_eduhi=2014 "Percussion Festival"] (Austria) de icon]

It was established in the 1980s by Anant Narkkong, the present musical director of the ensemble, who is a a xylophone virtuoso and also a professor of ethnomusicology and composition at the Faculty of Music, Mahidol University, Thailand [ [http://www.projazz.cl/v2/index.php?obj_id=1308 Encuentro Musical Tailandés/"Anant Narkkong"] es icon] [http://www.diariodiplomatico.cl/nuevos_numeros/59/mayo-junio.htm "Meet the Thai Music"] , "Diario Diplomatico Online" (Chile), retrieved December 5, 2007 es icon] He also airs a radio program of Thai music at the Thailand National Radio Broadcasting.

Music

The group plays Thai classical, or "piphat", as well as Thai contemporary music. Throughout the past 20 years, Korphai has released a number of albums and performed in numerous public concerts in Thailand, including a performance with the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra. [ [http://www.tpug.org/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=2284&view=next BSO hooked on classics] , retrieved 2007-12-07] The group has also performed abroad, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Paris, Amsterdam and Berlin.

The group is also involved in the music used in Thai films, documentaries, theatres, plays, and festival presentations, such as "Thai Percussion Days 2004" (Vienna). Their music was used in the Thai films, "The Legend of Suriyothai" (2001) and "The Overture" [ [http://www.seattlefilm.org/festival/film/detail.aspx?id=5318&fid=5 "The Overture" profile] at the Seattle International Film Festival] [ From the review of "The Overture": "With a soundtrack of meticulously crafted music by the Kor Phai ensemble, the movie has wiped out the view that Thai classical music is outdated and dull." In: "Movie acts as wake-up call for the young", "Bangkok Post", 29th February, 2003] (2004). "The Overture" won Best Music with Kor Phai named as co-recipient in Star Entertainment Awards 2004 [ [http://star.sanook.com/gossip/gossip_10563.php Star Entertainment Awards 2004] at sanook.com th icon] and Bangkok Critics Assembly Awards [ [http://www.thaifilm.com/awardsDetail.asp?id=76] th icon]

In 2005, at the concert dedicated to the 55th anniversary of Thai-Cambodian diplomatic relations at the Chaktomuk Theatre, the performance of the ensemble "won accolades from members of Cambodian royal family", "Bangkok Post" reported. ["Coming together Through Music", "Bangkok Post", October 1, 2005 (a copy of the article is archived [http://x.thaikids.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=3253& here] )]

Discography

*2007 - "Korphai : Bamboo Songs Bamboo Sounds" [ [http://www.ethaicd.com/showreview_product.php?pid=34006 "Bamboo Songs Bamboo Sounds"] CD info]
*2004 - """Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: The Overture", liner notes]
*2003 - "Homrak Hom Rong" ("The Delightful Overture") (Label: Nong Taprachan) [ [http://www.thaicdexpress.com/artist.asp?cdid=CIN0000037 ThaiCDexpress.com - Complete Thai Entertainment Online Store!, Thai CD, Thai VCD, Thai Movies, Thai Music, World Wide Delivery ] ]
* "Ratree Pradap Dao"

References

External links

* [http://www.cpfspain.com/producciones/korphai/english/index.html Korphai profile] at the Cultural Projects Factory
* [http://www.argekultur.at/Ars/Arge/Event/EventDetails.aspx?EventID=5060 "Korphai "Colourful Thai Percussion"]
* [http://www.music.mahidol.ac.th/soundlibrary/boonrat/Sound4.mp3 Electroacoustic piece] at the Mahidol University library. Commission by Patravadi Theatre, Live Premiere at Konzerthaus Wien, Austria in 2004 by Korphai Ensemble