Throughout history, humans have turned to music as a powerful medium to express the complexities of conflict and the yearning for harmony. Tonight's inaugural concert for our symposium showcases this enduring aspect of the human experience. From the haunting strains of post-war compositions to the defiant voices of protest songs, music has served as both a mirror reflecting our struggles and a beacon guiding us towards reconciliation.

Following an opening improvisation, we continue with György Ligeti's “Sonata for Viola solo,” its unique timbre embodying the search for new expressions in a world scarred by conflict. This quest for understanding extends to Franz's "kernkraft," challenging us to find harmony amidst discord – a reflection of our ongoing struggle to navigate the complex interplay of societal forces that shape our world.

As we delve deeper into music's response to global conflict, Wolfgang Motz's "Nie Wieder! ?" and Debussy's Etude "For the Opposing Sonorities" stand as powerful testimonies. Motz's work, drawing inspiration from Ravel, serves as both lament and warning against militaristic thinking. Debussy's etude, composed during the dark days of World War I, offers a glimpse of hope through its resolution of conflicting intervals. Together, these pieces demonstrate music's capacity to express grief, caution against violence, and ultimately point towards reconciliation – key themes in our exploration of music's role in fostering social harmony.

Our journey then takes us to more intimate emotional landscapes with "Beacon," an opera-in-progress by Jonathan Shin and Joel Tan. This work invites us to explore human yearning and connection across vast emotional terrains, mirroring our symposium's goal of bridging divides through musical understanding. From these expansive emotions, we then turn to the deeply personal with selections from Schubert's "Winterreise," a poignant exploration of loss and isolation that resonates with contemporary experiences of displacement and longing.

We conclude our program with a selection of folk songs from Thailand, bringing us full circle to music's role in expressing dissent and asserting cultural identities. These pieces showcase the enduring power of music to voice societal struggles and inspire change.

"To the brave dreamer"

Lyric and Melody: Charan Manopetch

Translated : Khunying Chamnongsri Hanchanlash

"The morning sun gives you beams of gold

Lighting the road for the dauntless dreamer

And when bright flowers bloom for bravest fighters

The winner's prize for shining dreams - is yours.”

Program notes

Improvisation

Karst de Jong

Choreographer: Kid Buak Sip

Sonata for Viola solo by György Ligeti

Thanpapon Prinyakul

kernkraft (2019) by Franz Rieks

Franz Rieks (Piano)

Jirawat Pattana (Percussions)

Peerapat Srithandet (Percussions)

Jiraphan Khaokum (Violin)

Nie Wieder! ? (2014) by Wolfgang Motz

Franz Rieks (Piano)

Jirawat Pattana (Percussions)

Peerapat Srithandet (Percussions)

Porntawan Phetchad (Cello)

Etudes pour les sonorités opposées by Claude Debussy

Bernard Lansky

Beacon: Phase 01  by Jonathan Shin & Joel Tan

Kiratikorn Promdewet (Violin)

Pulish Likhitwatanasad (Cello)

Phataporn Preechanon (Flute)

Christhatai Paksamai (Clarinet)

Kasidet Somman (Percussions)

Don Winyachai (Percussions)

Jonathan Shin (Piano)

Boon Hua Lien (Conductor)

Winterreise, Op.89,

- Frühlingstraum

- Das Wirtshaus

- Der Leiermann

by Franz Schubert

John Tneoh (Baritone)

Usa Napawan (Piano)

สะพานสายรุ้ง (วงสองวัย) [Rainbow Bridge (Two Generations Band)]

จดหมายถึงพ่อ [Dear Father]

รางวัลแด่คนช่างฝัน [To the brave dreamer]

Ittipol Wathawathana (Eed footpath: guitar) 

Sreewan Wathawathana (Preal: violin) 

Smatya Wathawathana (Speak: cello)

Aphudom Kasemsathasathaphorn (Violin2-music arranger) 

Pongthep Jitduangprem (Viola)  

Mar Kumpee (Double Bass)