Korphai

Korphai Ensemble, Korphai or kor phai (Thai: กอไผ่, pronounced [kɔː pʰàj], RTGS: ko phai) which literally means a 'bunch of bamboo', is an ensemble of traditional Thai percussion music.^[1][2]

It was established in the 1980s by Anant Narkkong, the present musical director of the ensemble, who is a professor of ethnomusicology and composition at the Faculty of Music at Silpakorn University.^[3][4] He also airs a radio program of Thai music at the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand.^[4]

Music

The group plays Thai classical, or piphat, as well as Thai contemporary music. Throughout the past 20 years, Korphai has released a number of albums and performed in numerous public concerts in Thailand, including a performance with the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra.^[5] The group has also performed abroad, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Paris, Amsterdam and Berlin.^[2]

The groups is also involved in the music used in Thai films, documentaries, theatres, plays, and festival presentations, such as "Thai Percussion Days 2004" in Vienna. Their music was used in the Thai films, The Legend of Suriyothai (2001)^[2] and The Overture^[6][7] (2004). The Overture won Best Music with Kor Phai named as co-recipient in Star Entertainment Awards 2004^[8] and Bangkok Critics Assembly Awards.^[9]

In 2005, at the concert dedicated to the 55th anniversary of Thai-Cambodian diplomatic relations at the Chaktomuk Theatre, the performance of the ensemble "won accolades from members of Cambodian royal family", Bangkok Post reported.^[10]

Discography

• 2007 – Korphai : Bamboo Songs Bamboo Sounds^[11]
• 2004 – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: The Overture^[12]
• 2003 – Homrak Hom Rong (The Delightful Overture) (Label: Nong Taprachan)^[13]
• Ratree Pradap Dao

Awards

Year	Award
1983	National Music Contest, the national theatre
2004	"The Overture" Best Film Music and Score, Hamburger Award
2005	"The Overture" Best Film Music and Score, Thailand Critics Association
2005	"The Overture" Best Film Music, Thailand Media Association

Korphai Music Genres

1. Traditional Thai Music: Piphat, Mahoree, Kruangsai Ancient repertoire and selected compositions from famous Thai composers.

2. Folk-Pop music Variety of songs; ranging from Thai folks to international popular music.

3. Fusion Jazz music Variety of Thai songs rearranged in fusion style.

4. Asian-mix Musics of Southeast Asian; rearranged in flexible performance style including stage movements.

5. Experimental music Improvisations & Compositions from modern Thai composers plus multi-media presentations.

6. Theatre Music / Film Music

Korphai musicians

Name	Role	Instruments
Anant Narkkong	Music Director	Percussion
Prasarn Wongwirojrak	Member	Vibraphone, Percussion
Chaibhuk Bhutrachinda	Composer	Gong, Electric Guitar
Asdavuth Sagarik	Member	Ranat, Gong, Khim
Banhan Palo	Percussion, Instruments Tuner
Lerkiat Mahavinijchaimontri	Coordinator	Fiddle, coordinator
Thawisak Akarawong	Member	Leading Xylophone
Tossaporn Tassana	Technician	Drums
Kanokporn Tassana	Singer
Amon Bhuthanu	Member	Keyboard, Gong, Xylophone
Akkrapon Apicho	Member	Bass