In olden days, classical musicians were the equivalent of modern-day pop stars _ even rock stars, in certain cases. Time seems to have added a patina of majesty and "high-mindedness" to the genre, though, and a contemporary version of a luminary like Mozart might prove far too much to swallow for the many who associate classical musicians with tuxedoes, austere expressions and cut-throat competitiveness.
The seven musicians in Bangkok Hearts Classics project, from left, Trisdee Na Patalung, Miti Wisuthumporn, Nattapol Lerswanuswong, Kanin Udommana, Ekachai Maskulrat, Paye Srinarong and Christopher Janwong McKiggan.
Happily, however, this is not always the case.
Last week, a group of seven young maestros with a combined pedigree equal to _ or longer than _ the distance from Silom to Vienna proved to the crowd that gathered at a downtown bank there's much more to classical music than meet the ears. To film a music video for a project called "Bangkok Hearts Classics", Paye Srinarong (violin), Kanin Udommana (violin), Miti Wisuthumporn (viola), Ekachai Maskulrat (cello), Nattapol Lerswanuswong (double bass), Trisdee Na Patalung (piano, harpsichord, composition) and Christopher Janwong McKiggan (piano) got dressed up as security guards, garage mechanics, motorcycle-taxi drivers and in an assortment of other blue- and white-collar uniforms and proceeded to serenade us with a repertoire of classical numbers plus an adaptation of Carabao's upbeat Bua Loi.
They even found time to banter with the audience, the broad smiles they flashed encouragingly at each other contrasting with the seriousness of the music they were churning out.
"By dressing this way, we're trying to convey that classical music can reach people of all ages, all professions and all walks of life," explained Paye, who has a PhD in musical art. "Also, by interacting with people, we can let them know that, at the end of the day, classical music is entertainment; it's food for the soul. People are often under the mistaken impression that classical music is reserved for high-society types, but in fact it's all about entertainment and happiness. We want to change that."
Bangkok Hearts Classics is a coming together of seven like-minded musos who jokingly refer to themselves as "The Avengers". The project encompasses several activities aimed at bringing classical music closer to the masses _ such as playing a classical gig in a public space like Siam Square. The various activities are being rolled out now and the project will culminate with three major concerts in December.
"We've known each other since we were young and we grew up playing together," said Miti. "Now that we've all grown up, we agreed to try and push classical music into people's everyday lives rather than just leaving it on the high shelves. That's how this project came to life."
"It can happen," Paye chipped in. "I think people just don't know where they can go and listen to our kind of music without having to get all dressed up. This has always been our mutual dream, but we got scattered all over the world. Finally, we were able to make time to do this."
The trio of concerts will kick off with ''East Meets West'' on Dec 13 at Phayathai Palace, followed by ''The Carnival Of The Animals'' (Dec 17, Thailand Cultural Centre) and concluding with ''Classical Music Woos Bangkok'' (Dec 23, Bangkok Art Museum). By giving each of the gigs a different theme, the septet is hoping to reel in as wide a range of listeners as possible.
But before that grand concert trilogy, these seven prodigies will be embarking on a series of side projects designed to ignite interest in the classics and reach out to people who would not normally listen to this type of music.
The first leg involves roadshows and free masterclasses.
''The most important thing about teaching young children music is that you have to have fun doing it,'' Paye enthused, ''because once the kids can feel that you are actually enjoying this kind of music, they'll automatically get into it too.
''There are no tricks. It's just a natural progression. You can't force them. For classical music, it's even better to start off young since children don't have this preconception that classical music is somehow difficult.''
Another strand of the programme calls for the troupe to put on free entertainment for underprivileged groups. Championing the notion that classical music can be enjoyed anywhere, any time and by anyone, the seven wunderkinds will adopt and adapt the popular flash mob method to surprise Bangkokians _ don't expect any warning.
''We want to highlight the fact that music is a part of your life and that classical music can pop up anywhere without you knowing. These guerilla gigs will also serve to introduce classical music to those who haven't heard it before, to people who just happen to walk past while we're playing. If we can grab one person's attention by doing this, we'll already be happy,'' said Christopher, who is of mixed Thai and English ancestry.
So is the project a reaction to a perceived upwelling of interest in classical music among the younger generation?
''I think it is in fact getting more popular,'' said Paye. ''We're in a lot of media. Even soap operas and teen movies now feature protagonists who are classical musicians. Trisdee has recently done a concert with Thanachai Ujjin from Moderndog.''
''Yes, it's true,'' Ekachai said. ''If you look around now there are more music schools that offer classical music courses. And I've also noticed that classical music concerts are better attended these days. It's really a good thing.''
With so much talent and and so many extrovert personalities within the same creative compound, so to speak, one wonders if there's a possibility of disagreements, especially in light of the scope of this ambitious project and the pressure on them to perform well together.
''Everyone gets along famously. We're all friends,'' said Trisdee. ''We talk to one another all the time. Playing music is bliss in itself and it shouldn't pose any conflicts. Having said that, we're serious about the quality of music that we're presenting.''
''The only obstacle now is scheduling,'' Ekachai added. ''It's quite hectic and we all kind of live all over the world and we have prior engagements that we have to tend to as well, but we're going to make it work somehow.'' Colourful outfits. Joking around with the audience. Flash mob tactics and doing classical versions of popular tunes. All this has the potential to raise eyebrows, especially among the old guard, but that seems to be the least of their worries.
''I think senior musicians know what we're capable of. We've proven ourselves in terms of skill and commitment, and they know that we won't take it lightly when it comes to playing music that we love,'' Trisdee declared.
''Also, in this age and time, I believe that [veteran musicians] are very open minded and they understand what we're trying to do here. It's not about gimmicks; it's about what we can deliver.
''There's no need to try to understand classical music,'' Christopher said with conviction. ''You just have to let yourself go, and allow yourself to feel the music _ how it impacts your emotions. Each and every one of us perceives music differently; that's the best thing about all this.''
Visit www.facebook.com/Jeeb.bangkok for updates and schedules.
