Abstract:
The objectives of this research are to create the music composition: Queen Chamdevi Suite, and to create a body of knowledge attained in the composition process, relying on qualitative research and descriptive analysis methods. Literature reviews and interviews of experts in history and in Thai music were made. Research results are presented in the form of music composition. Queen Chamdevi Suite is a music composition newly created, without basing the structure of any existing Thai classical songs. An integration of musicological and historical knowledge, especially those related to Queen Chamdevi, the inspiration of this suite, played an important role. Queen Chamdevi Suite is composed of five songs: Ruesi Sang Mueng (the hermits establishing a city), Deun Thang (the journey), Phi Nong Song Kasat (the twin kings), Chang Kam Nga Khiew the auspicious elephant), and Khrong Raj (the enthronement). When performed as a series, the Preh as an introduction, followed by a prayer and a chant in praise of Queen Chamdevi, then the five songs are played successively. Drum rhythm serves as linkage between each song, except between the fourth and the fifth. The fourth is designed to end in an abrupt manner before the sound from the Mon gong is heard as the signal of the final song. The music ensembles assigned to perform the songs are Pi Phat Mon Khreung Khu, Khreung Sai Mon integrated with Khreung Sai Thai, and Local Lanna Pi Phat. All songs carry the Mon accent, with a variation into the Lao accent in the third one. The reason is because Queen Chamdevis reign is historically contemporary with Dvaravati era, an era of Mon culture, and she was a monarch of the Norht. Additional musical instruments uncommon to such ensembles are intermittently introduced into the performance to contribute effects corresponding to the song atmosphere. Preh, a Lava instrument, is meant to suggest the Lava native of the land which was turned into Hariphunchai ; sang to make an imitation of the sound of the Hassadiling bird and also of the elephant ; gansadan and grading, to enhance the sacred atmosphere of the praising chant ; and glawng khaek, making a rhythm with the Loa accent, to distinguish Khelang Nakon, the city which Prince Anantayot became king, as a city with Lao culture.