Narong Prangcharoen and Thai cross-cultural fusion in contemporary composition
Abstract
Narong Prangcharoen (b.1973) has become one of the leading Asian classical composers since he won a number of international awards and received numerous commissions from major orchestras and individual distinguished musicians. His compositions, most of which include distinct Thai musical elements and Thai cultural influences within the guise of Western art music, are emblematic of a trend in contemporary composition that embraces worldwide
influences. This thesis is a first step toward the literature of this compositional trend of Thai/Western musical fusion. It begins with a survey to different approaches of applying exotic elements into Western compositions, focusing on the fusion of Western and Far Eastern musical/non-musical elements of China and Indonesia. The focus then shifts to the cross-cultural interplay between Thai and Western elements that has appeared throughout Thai music history.
The main topic of thesis ensues, with the presentation of Prangcharoen's musical background, his creative process, and his synthesis of Thai influences and Western compositional techniques in his orchestral music. The purpose of this thesis is to be not only a principal source in apprehending Prangcharoen's life and works, but also a foundation for any future study relating to Prangcharoen or other Thai composers and their compositions
Table of Contents
Abstract -- Approval page -- List of illustrations -- List of tables -- Acknowledgements -- Cross-cultural processes in Western music history -- Cross-cultural processes in Thai music history -- Narong Prangcharoen and cross-cultural processes in his orchestral compositions -- Conclusions - Pentatonic theme in Pubbanimitta, mm. 1-59 -- Selected works by Narong Prangcharoen -- Narong Prangcharoen discography -- Bibliography
Degree
M. M.