The Re-invent ‘Song Tabeaux Vivants’

Abstract

            This article aims to 1) study the history of Tableaux Vivants of Prince Narisara Nuwattiwong that affect the academic work in the musical field 2) analyse the music structure of Tableaux Vivants. Therefore, the result will be present in the descriptive analysis form.

            The research reveals that Tableau Vivant suites are derived from mahoree suites for lulling the royalty when they are going to sleep since the Ayutthaya period. The initial lyrics are the poem, verse, or free verse which will finish in one verse. The mahoree suites are composed by selecting different songs before integrating them to make it longer called “Pleng Tab”. In the early Rattanakosin period, the drama scripts are used to play and sing without the dancers called “Lakorn Klai” or “Pleng Tab Ruang”, as a result, the stories of the suites are borrowed from drama scripts. In the period of King Rama V-King Chulalongkorn, Prince Narisara Nuwattiwong produces eight Tableau Vivant suites according to the demand of Crown Prince Maha Vajirunhis-the first son of King Chulalongkorn. Tableau Vivant suites are not played since Crown Maha Vajirunhis passes away until the period of King Rama IX, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Tableaux Vivants are revived to fully perform and modified its features for the current Thai society. The results of music structure of Tableaux Vivants are revealed as follows: firstly, Ruang Rachathirat Suite represents Burmese and Mon accent played in Thang Piang Or Bon or C pentatonic scale also played in Thang Piang Or Lang or G pentatonic scale. Secondly, Ruang Nithra Chakhrit Suite represents Indian accent played in Thang Piang Or Lang or G pentatonic scale. Thirdly, Ruang Samkok Suite represents Chinese accent played in Thang Piang Or Bon or C pentatonic scale. Fourthly, Ruang Cinderella Suite represents Farang or Western accent played in Thang Piang Or Lang or G Pentatonic scale. Moreover, Ruang Khom Damdin Suite represents Khmer accent played in Thang Chawa or F pentatonic scale. Furthermore, Ruang Phralo Suite represents Lao accent played in Thang Piang Or Lang or G pentatonic scale. Finally, Ruang Unnaruth Suite is played in Thang Piang Or Lang or G pentatonic scale. It can be seen that there have the language accents in all Tableau Vivant suites. However, there are some pieces that its basic melodies can be used to create new accents such as Phama Hae, Krob Chakkawal, Mon Ronghai, Khaek Thoy Mo, Khrop Chakkrawan, and Wessukam.