PHUKET: A rare and extraordinary event, residents and visitors were delighted by the return of the live classical music string quartet to Mom Tri's Villa Royale, boutique hotel in Phuket.
Mom Luang Tri Devakul, also known as Mom Tri, invited H.E. Admiral M.L. Usni Pramoj and esteemed Thai classical musicians Tasana Nagavajara, Siripong Tiptanm and Kittikhun Sodprasert to perform at Villa Royale, which was once his private home.
This year's concert, as last year's, was sold out with over 100 guests attending.
The musicians performed two compositions, the first by Antonin Dvorak: String Quartet Op.96 in F major "American" followed by a piece composed by H.E. Adm. M.L. Usni Pramoj: String Quartet No.2.
"In February of 2011, I underwent spinal surgery which, happily, was successful. During enforced post-surgery convalescence, I began composing my second string quartet,'' he said. ''Not surprisingly, the first movement expresses a feeling of relief.
"The second movement, by contrast, is a sad remembrance of absent friends and loved ones. The third movement returns to a lighter vein. The fourth movement is a set of variations on a simple, almost child-like theme.
"In the first variation, I added jazzy harmonies and, presto, this simple melody turns into ragtime. The other variations are more conventional. I enjoyed writing this music," explained M.L Usni Pramoj.
He first played at Villa Royale more than 20 years ago and expressed his pleasure at being invited to play again providing something that the people here wanted.
"The venue here was great to play because it is so imitate and you are so close to the audience. It was the perfect place to play."
The music room at Villa Royale is affectionately named the Usni-Moshe Music Room.
M.L. Usni Pramoj studied law at Oxford University and qualified as a barrister-at-law at Gray's Inn. However, music has been his abiding passion since childhood. After completing his studies abroad, he returned to help pioneer Western classical music in Thailand, being a co-founder of a chamber orchestra which subsequently metamorphosed into the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra.
Today, he continues to be active as a conductor, violinist, violist, and composer. He is a Privy Councillor and Thai National Artist.
A well as being one of Thailand's most noted architects, Mom Luang Tri Devakul is also a food and wine connoisseur. A Phuket culinary benchmark, Mom Tri's Kitchen at Villa Royale has received international acclaim and boats one of the best wine cellars in Thailand, with more than 750 labels.
Mom Tri divides his time between Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai. Currently he is engaged in an innovative school and residential project in Chiang Mai, the PTIS International School.
Mom Luang Tri Devakul, also known as Mom Tri, invited H.E. Admiral M.L. Usni Pramoj and esteemed Thai classical musicians Tasana Nagavajara, Siripong Tiptanm and Kittikhun Sodprasert to perform at Villa Royale, which was once his private home.
This year's concert, as last year's, was sold out with over 100 guests attending.
The musicians performed two compositions, the first by Antonin Dvorak: String Quartet Op.96 in F major "American" followed by a piece composed by H.E. Adm. M.L. Usni Pramoj: String Quartet No.2.
"In February of 2011, I underwent spinal surgery which, happily, was successful. During enforced post-surgery convalescence, I began composing my second string quartet,'' he said. ''Not surprisingly, the first movement expresses a feeling of relief.
"The second movement, by contrast, is a sad remembrance of absent friends and loved ones. The third movement returns to a lighter vein. The fourth movement is a set of variations on a simple, almost child-like theme.
"In the first variation, I added jazzy harmonies and, presto, this simple melody turns into ragtime. The other variations are more conventional. I enjoyed writing this music," explained M.L Usni Pramoj.
He first played at Villa Royale more than 20 years ago and expressed his pleasure at being invited to play again providing something that the people here wanted.
"The venue here was great to play because it is so imitate and you are so close to the audience. It was the perfect place to play."
The music room at Villa Royale is affectionately named the Usni-Moshe Music Room.
M.L. Usni Pramoj studied law at Oxford University and qualified as a barrister-at-law at Gray's Inn. However, music has been his abiding passion since childhood. After completing his studies abroad, he returned to help pioneer Western classical music in Thailand, being a co-founder of a chamber orchestra which subsequently metamorphosed into the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra.
Today, he continues to be active as a conductor, violinist, violist, and composer. He is a Privy Councillor and Thai National Artist.
A well as being one of Thailand's most noted architects, Mom Luang Tri Devakul is also a food and wine connoisseur. A Phuket culinary benchmark, Mom Tri's Kitchen at Villa Royale has received international acclaim and boats one of the best wine cellars in Thailand, with more than 750 labels.
Mom Tri divides his time between Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai. Currently he is engaged in an innovative school and residential project in Chiang Mai, the PTIS International School.
