Various Artists
Thailand
EMI Italiana SpA/Odeon (Italy) 1975
3C 064-18080 (LP) Coated gatefold sleeve.
sleeve : EX(slightly wear on corner. light collapse on one corner)
media : EX/EX(some slightly noise)
A 1975 release in the UNESCO Collection’s Music Atlas series, devoted to traditional music from around the world, focusing here on the music of Chiang Mai, Thailand. The recordings were made in the field in 1971 by French ethnomusicologist and pianist Jacques Brunet. Side A features the Plo-Sieng-Pleng Ensemble from the village of Santarok performing piphat, one of Thailand’s most representative classical ensemble traditions, with roots in court music. The ensemble is built around tuned percussion, gongs, drums, and the pi, a traditional double-reed wind instrument. B1 presents an orchestral performance for a ritual at Wat Nantaram in northern Thailand, while B2 features “Hay Ya Rèt,” a representative piece from Chiang Mai’s traditional instrumental repertoire. The melodies played on metallic percussion in their distinctive tuning system are especially mesmerizing.
A1: Liké - Introductory Piece
B1: Plasat Vai
B2: Hay Ya Rèt