PERFORMANCE PRACTICE AND INTERPRETATION ON PHRA ABHAI MANI FOR PIANO SOLO COMPOSED BY DEN EUPRASERT
1
Issued Date
2025-05-07
Resource Type
eISSN
2774132X
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105008318931
Journal Title
Mahidol Music Journal
Volume
8
Issue
1
Start Page
98
End Page
114
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Mahidol Music Journal Vol.8 No.1 (2025) , 98-114
Suggested Citation
Lertpibulchai K. PERFORMANCE PRACTICE AND INTERPRETATION ON PHRA ABHAI MANI FOR PIANO SOLO COMPOSED BY DEN EUPRASERT. Mahidol Music Journal Vol.8 No.1 (2025) , 98-114. 114. Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/110865
Title
PERFORMANCE PRACTICE AND INTERPRETATION ON PHRA ABHAI MANI FOR PIANO SOLO COMPOSED BY DEN EUPRASERT
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Abstract
Background and Objectives: This research article focuses on the performance practice and interpretation of Phra Abhai Mani for Piano Solo composed by Associate Professor Dr. Den Euprasert, inspired by the Thai literary masterpiece “Phra Abhai Mani” by Sunthorn Phu. This composition uniquely blends Western musical techniques with Thai cultural narratives, using the expressive capabilities of the piano to depict characters, mythical creatures, and scenes from the epic tale. Comprising ten movements, each piece captures emotional depth and character portrayals through diverse tempi, tonalities, and pianistic techniques. The study aims to enhance performance practice, bridge cultural narratives with classical music, and promote Thai cultural identity on the international stage. The following objectives drive the research: 1) To investigate the historical and cultural background of “Phra Abhai Mani” and its influence on the composition. 2) To develop performance techniques and interpretation methods that align with the emotional and narrative aspects of the music. 3) To promote and preserve Thai cultural heritage through public performances of the composition. 4) To enhance the researcher’s piano performance skills through dedicated practice and interpretative exploration. 5) To provide a performance and study guide for future musicians interested in contemporary Thai piano compositions. Methods: This research was inspired by the opportunity to perform internationally, supported by a research grant from the College of Music, Mahidol University. The methodology involved the following steps: 1) Historical and Literary Analysis 2) Literature Review and Comparative Analysis 3) Interpretative Exploration and Performance Practice 4) Public Performance and Cultural Promotion 5) Data Analysis and Conclusion Results: The study revealed several key findings: 1) Cultural and Musical Integration: The composition successfully bridges Thai cultural narratives with Western classical music, using Western harmonic structures and tonalities to express Thai emotions and characterizations. The composer skillfully integrates Thai storytelling with Western pianistic techniques, creating a unique and culturally expressive musical work. 2) Effective Performance Techniques: The study identified specific performance techniques to enhance the narrative and emotional expression of each movement, including staccato articulation for energetic and playful characters, legato phrasing and rubato for lyrical and emotional passages, dynamic contrasts and tempo fluctuations to convey narrative tension and emotional conflict, and polyrhythms to depict mystical or dramatic scenes. These techniques effectively communicated the cultural narratives and emotional depth of each movement, enhancing audience engagement and emotional connection. 3) Audience Reception: Public performances received positive feedback, with audiences expressing an emotional connection to the music. The combination of Thai narrative elements and Western musical expression provided a unique cultural experience, increasing appreciation for Thai classical music on an international stage. Conclusions: This research article explores the performance practice and interpretation of Phra Abhai Mani, a composition by Den Euprasert, which is inspired by the Thai literary work Phra Abhai Mani by Sunthorn Phu. The piece consists of ten movements, blending Western music composition techniques with Thai cultural narratives to create a unique artistic expression. The researcher studied the historical background of the literary work and conducted musical analysis to gain a deeper understanding of the emotional and stylistic characteristics of each movement. This led to the selection of appropriate performance techniques, which not only enhanced the pianist’s technical and interpretative skills but also improved the overall musical expression of the piece. Additionally, the study and public performances aimed to preserve and promote Thai culture through classical music. Following the performances, the findings confirmed that the analysis and interpretative approaches could be effectively applied in practice, allowing for a clearer and more expressive performance. The use of suitable performance techniques significantly enhanced the conveyance of emotions and storytelling within the composition, leading to a stronger connection between the music and the audience. Furthermore, audience feedback indicated that listeners were able to perceive and understand the emotions of the piece more clearly due to the interpretative choices and expressive techniques employed. This highlights the importance of interpretation in music performance and its role in effectively communicating musical narratives and emotions. This study serves as a valuable reference for musicians interested in developing interpretative approaches to contemporary Thai compositions within the context of Western classical music. It contributes to the artistic growth of performers and supports the preservation and international recognition of Thai classical music. The findings of this research pave the way for future creative developments and the continued integration of Thai musical identity into the global classical music landscape.