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The Conference of the Birds

"CONNECTING OUR VOICES"

Transcending Differences

The Conference Of The Birds Part III: Emmett Williams:
somewhere bluebirds are flying high in the sky. in the cellar even blackbirds are extinct. somewhere bluebirds are flying high in the sky. even blackbirds are extinct. in the cellar somewhere bluebirds are flying in the cellar high in the sky. even blackbirds are extinct. somewhere bluebirds are flying in the cellar even blackbirds are extinct. high in the sky. somewhere bluebirds are flying even blackbirds are extinct. high in the sky. in the cellar somewhere bluebirds are flying even blackbirds are extinct. in the cellar high in the sky ... .....
 
Recited by Dieter Mack
Improvisation:
Piano: Dieter Mack
Klui: Anant Narkkong
Cello: Saowakhon Muangkruan
Percussion: Watchara Pluemyart
Soundscapes, Visuals and Live Electronics: Jean-David Caillouët
The old Javanese phrase “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika”translates to “Unity in Diversity”, a concept which resonates deeply with the theme of the 2016 International Symposium at PGVIM which aimed at exploring the unifying power of music within the the rich and varied cultural landscapes of the Asean.
 
The first performance evening that year was centered around the 1st movement of Mozart’s K452 Quintet, a piece seen by some as symbolising the birth of musical democracy. Throughout the piece, the wind players are gradually allowed to join in with the musical conversation on an equal level with the piano. Using this piece as a metaphorical starting point for an engaging exploration of music as a universal language, the evening juxtaposed a variety of musical traditions, establishing musical dialogues between the hammered strings of the Thai Kim ( dulcimer) and the plucked strings of the harpsichord, between the Classical Guitar and the Malay Gambus ( lute), between the stylings of the Burmese Piano and the percussive Gamelan tones of the prepared Piano among many others.
 
The program featured well established musicians as well as 10 young traditional musicians from the countries of Southeast Asia, the AYE (Asian Youth Ensemble) performing some pieces prepared during the Symposium’s workshops. Short poetic responses to the theme were also contributed by children from the local community of Bang Yi Khan.The performances were punctuated with archival recordings and footage as well as Southeast asian Soundscapes.
 
Through this eclectic and colourful mix of musical styles, we took our audience on a journey, sailing to the rhythm of the tides that bring about cultural changes in our ocean of sound.
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Dr. Chanyapong Thongsawang: Harpsichord
Dr. Kimho Ip : Yanquin
Panicha Ponprasit: Kim
 
Chamroeun Phan: Khmer Fiddle
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Bernard Lanskey: Piano
Natthapat Kirawiroj : French Horn
Anant Narkkong: Klui
Tontrakul Kaewyong: Khaen
 
Dieter Mack: Prepared piano
Nemyo Aung: Piano and Voice
 
Sotida Chairidchai: Voice
Leysam Ali: Gambus
Peerawit Aunruan: Classical Guitar
 
Recorded live during PGVIM's 4th international Symposium.
Sound recording: Palut Pawaratison
Camera: ธัชวงศ์ ศิริสวัสดิ์
 
Video editing and audio mastering: Jean-David Caillouet
​
The second performance evening of the 2016 Symposium at PGVIM carried on an investigation of music as a bridge facilitating cultural and social integrations. If the first evening proposed juxtapositions of a variety of musical idioms in their original traditional form, this second offering looked at musical practices that aim at venturing outside the established paths.
 
Looking at differences and assumed incompatibilities as opportunities to open up new windows for creativity rather than building walls.
 
The evening used Debussy’s ‘Sonate for Harp, Viola and flute’ as a starting point. The piece, written by Debussy near the end of his life at the beginning of WW1, explores the musical potential of this unusual trio combination in a very unique way as if the composer found some sort of solace through the resolution of conflicting sonorities in music at a time of unresolvable international political divide. A century later, we seem to have come full circle again as we witness the rise of nationalist resentments in many parts of the world. Music is more than ever needed to transcend the differences that divide people. Tuning into the past and the present, the evening’s performances investigated the interferences and differences that form our illusionary musical boundaries and often settle in the spaces between, sweeping through the airwaves to discover some of the sonic possibilities still hiding behind our musical horizons.
 
The program featured music by Debussy, compositions by pioneers of twentieth century music as well as pieces and improvisations freshly designed during our Symposium’s workshops interspersed with a touch of electronics and visual art.
 
Radio Sonata part II
Composed by Jean-David Caillouet from a theme by Claude Debussy
 
Nigel Osborne: Wave speech translator.
Anant Narkkong: Radio
Dieter Mack: Conductor
Phataporn Preechanon: Flute
Mervin Wong : Viola
Teo Charmaine : Harp
Suppabhorn Suwanpakdee: Viola
Pongthep Jitduangprem: Viola
Rittichut Phetmunin: Bass Clarinet
Kampanart Chantima: Clarinet
Jean-David Caillouet: Visuals and Electronics
 
Recorded live during PGVIM's 4th international Symposium.
Sound recording: Palut Pawaratison
Camera: ธัชวงศ์ ศิริสวัสดิ์
Visual assistance: Gabriel Camelin
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