MUSICAL TRIBUTE TO LEGENDARY PIANIST

It seemed an impossible feat - to gather Thailand's heavyweights of classical piano music to perform together in one concert. And to the joy of their fans, this was exactly what happened recently at the Thailand Cultural Centre.

Bonded by their fond memories of the late National Artist Piyabhand Sanitwongse na Ayutthaya, affectionately called Ajarn Pia, who passed away three years ago at 73, his friends and former students - who are all big names in the local classical music scene - joined musical forces and performed in a concert aptly titled "For Our Dear Ajarn Pia".

"Learning piano with Ajarn Piyabhand was full of fun," said Apichart Intravisit, the concert's emcee and one of the ace pianist's students. "It was not about playing the piano alone, but also a broad lesson about life through his knowledge via his unique style of humorous quips.

"With his diverse array of interests - from running a fruit orchard in Chanthaburi to setting up a gemology forum - he made our piano lessons more fun by using analogies from them to guide us through the music lessons.

"In other words, he connected music to everything in the world, thus making our piano playing an essential element to be proud of."

The concert was also a joint effort to raise funds for a music library in the late pianist's name at the National Library, and to immortalise his works by publishing his compositions.

The musical evening began with Bua Khao, a national classic penned by the late ML Puangroy Apaiwongse, rendered by her daughter, Matanabhandhu Tulalamba, and veteran piano teacher Norie Chinwanich. Ajarn Pia's composition Preab Dao Rak Duen was performed by Nat Yontarak, and Ton Worachet was played by Jamorn Supapol.

Other pianists that performed at the concert included Suda Banomyong, Indhuon Srikaranonda, Artas Balakauskas, Kesorn Jittawait, Lucia Thangsuphanich, Susuma Pongpladisai,Visudhisom Roong-In, Sornsawan Sirichanya, Guo Rui, Bodin Somboonsak, Nichapat Valaipatchra, Koranan Jetjiravat, Pariphol Aksharamat, Sirin Wittayarungruangsi, Ekarat Janrathitikarn, Kittiporn Tantrarungroj, Chatri Chandrangam, Anuraj Manibhandu, Apisak Pupipat, Surakit Visuttiwattanakarn and Wannasiri Homsanit.

Pianists Sinnapa Sarasas and Narongrit Dhamabutra have each composed a piece to honour their musical mentor. Narongrit's In Memoriam was beautifully rendered by Nalinee Dhamabutra.

Sinnapa's Long Kiew, which was performed by the artist herself and sung by Sanchai Uaesilapa, was hauntingly sweet, nostalgically sad and powerfully moving while beautifully bridging classical Thai music with its Western counterpart.

The concert, presided over by Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda, ended with a performance by Mr Apichart at the piano singing Faak Rak Aaw Wai Nai Pleng, an all-time favourite penned by Boonchuay Kamolwathin and arranged by Piyabhand.

A small party after the concert was animated with smiles and laughter from longtime friends - each an admirer of the late Ajarn Pia - who all enjoyed the chance to recall fond memories and to do something together for the inimitable maestro. The memorable event will air on the Thai PBS channel on July 25, from 9pm.