To mark the auspicious occasion of the fifth-cycle (60th) birthday anniversary of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, a special tribute concert was held recently at the Thailand Cultural Centre. Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha was chairperson of the concert's organising committee and graciously presided over the event, which was organised jointly by senior executives of Justice Administration Batch 16, the Vajiralongkorn Foundation, the Cultural Promotion Department, the Suntaraporn Foundation and the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra (BSO) Foundation, which is under the royal patronage of the Crown Prince. Proceeds from the event will be presented to the Crown Prince to support his many charitable projects.
HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha graciously presided over the ‘60th Birthday Celebration Maha Vajiralongkorn’ concert.
Under the baton of Nora-ath Chanklum, the BSO performed well known Thai songs written by the late Eua Sunthornsanan, who founded the Suntaraporn band. The synchronisation of Suntaraporn classics with the wonderful performance of the BSO was enchanting.
The musical celebration started with the beautiful Suntaraporn Suite. Nora-ath's arrangement combined favourite Sunthornsanan songs including Floor Fuang Fah, Kor Hai Meuan Derm, Nang Fah Jum Lang and Kid Teung into a single medley number.
This was followed by two of the Crown Prince's favourite songs, Lao Kum Hom and Kum Hom. It was the first time the two songs had been played by a big-band orchestra. Cheowchan Kitsombatchai was the featured vocalist for Kum Hom, while Duangporn Pongphasuk sang Lao Kum Hom.
Guests were delighted by a powerful rendition of Kid Teung (Chan Kra Jang Pha) from Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul.
Other singers included National Artist Ruangthong Thonglantom, mezzo soprano Teeranai Na Nongkai and KPN award-winning vocalist Kornkan "Arm" Sutthikoses, along with a new generation of singers from the Suntaraporn band.
To round out the concert, the orchestra performed two songs written especially for the Crown Prince, Chai-Yo Orasatiraj, performed by the choir, and Sadudee Prabarom Orasatiras, performed by all singers with the choir.
