THE RIVER SUITES: PIANO TRIO FOR THE CONSERVATION OF THE MEKONG RIVER

Abstract

The creative research “The River Suites: Piano Trio for the Conservation of the Mekong River” is a musical composition inspired by the Mekong River. The suite consists of eleven songs, lasting for approximately forty minutes. Three main concepts of this composition are rhythm, scale and mode, and quotation. Compositional techniques include syncopation and rhythmic repetition. The use of Pentatonic scale is to invoke the Eastern atmosphere. Lydian and Phrygian modes represent Naga, the ancient and semedivine serpent-like creature in Hindu and Buddhist myths. Dorian and Mixolydian modes represent the Giant Catfish and Pu La Hueng, another local mythical creature related to the Mekong. In addition, Thai folk songs are presented with the violin, cello, and piano to simulate the atmosphere in the song, such as simulating the concept of playing a tom-tom instead of clapping and tapping the instrument, etc.