Isaan Toccata is inspired by “Khaen” instument from Isaan, Thailand. It’s a special instrument from the Mekong River basin, known for its intricate and beautiful sounds, creating a captivating and enchanting experience.
In the lifestyle of Isaan, people use the Khaen to unwind after their daily tasks.
When we listen to the ‘Khaen,’ we can appreciate its continuous music, made possible by using circular breathing. This toccata requires us to experience the joyous rhythm without any breaks. At the beginning of the piece, it gently introduces a cool and pleasant breeze. Imagining when the locals take a break from work, the fun and lively rhythms come in, with moments of improvised chords familiar to Isaan’s sound.
Moving on to a familiar ‘Toey Khong’ melody, which appears at bar 138. Later, at bar 170, we’ll hear chords that we often encounter in the Khaen’s music, leading to the development of varied and colorful harmonies.
This piece had its world premiere by Tipwatoo Aramwittaya in June 2024 at Sala Sudasiri Sobha.
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