Performance Practice of “Kanf Kao Gin Gluy” for Piano Four Hands by Wiwat Suthiyam

Abstract

“Kang Kao Gin Gluay” is a popular Thai traditional tune which had a long historical background since the Ayutthaya Kingdom. Wiwat Suthiyam, a Thai contemporary composer, brought this famous tune to compose theme and variations for piano four hands in the style of significant famous 20th century composers such as Witold Lutosławski, Olivier Messiaen, Sergei Prokofiev, Francis Poulenc, Sergei Rachmaninoff, and Dmitri Shostakovich. This composition has become essential for pianists and advanced students who are interested in playing various compositional styles in one piece. To play this composition distinctively, it requires not only musical interpretation but also technical and ensemble skills. This article will go through the composition background and focus on performance practice in each variation as well as significant aspects in each variation including character, form, compositional style, pedal, rhythmic complexity, articulations, dynamics, melody, harmony, ensemble, texture and technique will be pointed out and suggestion for practicing will be given.