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Piphat and Prelude
For Winds, Brass and Percussion
Duration: 7'00"
Instrumentation:
Flute 1.2.3.4 (3.4 doubling Piccolo)
Oboe 1.2.3
Clarinet 1.2
Bassoon 1.2
F Horn 1.2.3.4
Bb Trumpet 1.2.3
Trombone 1.2
Tuba
Percussion 1
(Timpani, Conga [Low])
Percussion 2
(Ching [tuned in D], Cymbals, Snare Drum)
About the Work:
Piphat and Prelude (2024) explores the sound palette of the piphat, a traditional Thai ensemble consisting of winds and percussion instruments. It is presented in two short movements:
I. Piphat
The movement introduces three main instruments of the piphat, exploring their characteristics and idioms.
a. Pi (or Pi-nai) is a quadruple reed oboe known for its distinctive reedy sound and the ornamentations it adds to the melody
b. Ranad (or Ranad-Ek) is a curved xylophone played with two mallets. Considered a leading instrument or the soloist of the piphat, it normally sits at the front of the ensemble. The ranad is known for its rapid delivery of successive octaves.
c. Khong (or Khong-Wong-Yai) is a set of pitched gongs hung in a circle. Through its sonorous sound, the khong-wong-yai provides a skeletal melody for the other instruments in the piphat. It is the foundation of the ensemble.
II. Prelude
The movement presents the sound of the piphat as a whole, highlighting its heterophonic characteristic. The piphat is generally used to accompany theatrical plays and dances. Deeply rooted in religious and spiritual traditions, the ensemble performs a set of music as an overture to invite divinities to each performance for blessing. Based on this concept, the movement serves as a short prelude. Towards the end, the brass chorale signifies the entrance of the divinities who will bring good fortune and ensure the success of a concert.
Performance:
Written for and Premiered by the King's College London Symphony Orchestra on 7 June 2024 at the Great Hall, Strand Campus, King's College London.
European-Premiered by King's College London Symphony Orchestra on 20 June 2024 in Aix-en-Provence, Southern France.
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