Maneeya Dhammataree

A host of internationally-acclaimed dancers and musicians will be participating in this year's 10^th Bangkok International Festival of Dance and Music over the coming weeks (September 15-October 13) at the Thailand Cultural Center.

This year's festival is dedicated to the memory of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana, the late elder sister of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Princess Galyani, who sadly passed away on January 2, was the festival's Royal patron and its honorary chairperson.

A celebration of diversity

Ballet is well represented during the early part of the festival, including performances of Raymonda, a two-act ballet to be performed by the Russian Bashkir State Ballet Theater on September 19.

The same group will perform The Nutcracker, another two-act ballet based on the music of Pytor Ilyich Tchaikovsky, during the first weekend of the festival (September 20-21). This piece of work is popular among both adults and children, so families may be interested in experiencing the show.

The central character in this ballet, a little girl, is given a nutcracker by her godfather for Christmas. The child falls asleep and dreams that she defends it against 'The King of Mice'. The nutcracker then changes into a handsome prince who whisks her off on a fabulous journey. Yuri Grigorovich, a former artistic director of the Bolshoi Theater, provided the choreography for this performance, which is accompanied by a full symphony orchestra.

Popular classics

Established in Bashkir in 1938, the Russian Symphony Orchestra has been led by a host of leading conductors over the years. On September 22, the orchestra will make its second appearance at the festival, having opened the event (September 15) by performing Requiem Aeternam, a piece specially composed by leading Russian composer Boris Tishchenko to commemorate Princess Galyani and her contribution to the development of the arts and culture in Thailand.

The second performance will feature the 'Fantasy Overture' from Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet, Dmitri Kabalevsky's 'Violin Concerto', featuring award-winning violin soloist Liliya Nigamedzyanova, and Ludwig Van Beethoven's '7^th Symphony'.

While musical director and chief conductor of the orchestra Robert Luther will oversee the performance, the baton will be in the capable hands of His Excellency Rear Adm ML Usni Pramoj. The privy counselor, a keen conductor, composer and violinist, co-founded a chamber orchestra which went on to become the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra.

Contemporary flair

While the festival kicks off with an extremely classical feel during the first week, a more contemporary flavor emerges during weeks two and three.

Contemporary dance, for example, is well represented with performances by the Zurich Ballet (September 24-25), Introdans (September 27), and the Paul Taylor Contemporary Dance Company from the US during the second weekend (October 3-4).

Zurich Ballet presents a three-part abstract ballet called In Den Winden im Nichos ('Winds in the Void'), comprising 18 interconnected dances. This music-driven ballet does not feature any narrative. Claudius Hermann, a cellist with the Zurich Opera House, provides live accompaniment for the dancers.

Introdans, a contemporary dance company from the Netherlands is one of the country's biggest and most active ballet troupes. Combining classical and lyrical elements with contemporary techniques, Introdans will perform 'Ballet Scenes', 'Creatures', and 'Symphony in Three Movements', choreographed by Hans van Manen, Patrick De Bana, and Nils Christe, respectively.

The program presented by the Paul Taylor Contemporary Dance Company on October 3 features 'Arden Court', 'Eventide' and 'Promethean', while the October 4 performance includes 'Mercuric Tidings', 'Byzantium', and 'Esplanade', all choreographed by Taylor. These performances are brought to the public in tandem with the Embassy of the United States of America in celebration of the 175^th anniversary of Thai-American diplomatic relations.

The mid point (October 1) of the same week provides some contrast with a return to a more traditional form of dance through Korean Fantasy, performed by the Korean National Dance Company.

The company draws on a 40-year tradition of excellence, bringing together the most talented dancers from Korea to not only preserve the country's traditional dance, but also modernize it. Known as Jung Joong Dong ('Dynamism in the Midst of Tranquility'), Korean dance blends calmness with powerful energy. This performance is presented by the Korean Embassy and Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism in celebration of the 50^th anniversary of Korean-Thai diplomatic relations.

'All that jazz'

'World' jazz vocalist Lua Hadar was born into a musical family, and has gained experience as an actor and singer, moving from stage to cabaret to jazz club, switching vocal genres and, if necessary, languages, too.

With her Twist Jazz Band, San Francisco-based Hadar will present a heady mix of fusion, original, international and regular jazz in a combined show with James Morrison on October 6.

James Morrison is a major figure in jazz in his native Australia, where he has received the Mo Award as Australian Performer of the Year and the Ricky May Performer of the Year award. But it's his impact on the international stage that has been most impressive.

Morrison has toured the world with the likes of Cab Calloway, Dizzie Gillespie, Frank Sinatra, the Phillip Morris Superband, Whitney Houston, Woody Shaw, Wynton Marsalis. Known predominantly as a trumpet player, Morrison is recognized as one of the world's most accomplished multi-instrumentalists. Morrison and his band will be accompanied by jazz vocalist Emma Pask, who was awarded the Mo Award for Jazz Vocalist of the Year in 2006.

Spanish spice

Ballet Flamenco Sara Baras will present Sabores ('Flavors'), a performance without a story on October 11. This will allow the audience to experience different palos ('styles') of flamenco music.

Sara Baras is attributed with redefining flamenco, and the troupe has performed all over Spain, as well as throughout Europe, South America, and the United States.

Baras describes Sabores as “dancing and more dancing, with the idea of giving each palo its own color and attitude”.

The diverse styles on offer at this year's festival are really highlighted during the final weekend (October 11-12).

The Embassy of India will present Sankriti Classical Dances of India on October 11. Conceived and choreographed by danseuse Madhavi Mudgal, Sankriti represents an aesthetic synthesis of five classical forms of dance – Bharatnatyam, Odissi, Kathak, Kathakali and Theyyam, Kuchipudi, and Manipuri.

In sharp contrast, on October 12, jazz quintet G-Strings will present a diverse range of musical formats, including jazz standards, pop classics, rock, and even tango. The group has performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival, the Shanghai Music Festival, the Jazz in Hamburg Festival and many more.

Bconnected, another jazz outfit founded in 1994 by guitarist Eugene Montenero, will also take to the stage to give the audience a taste of its diverse mix of electronic, world, and funk-based jazz.

The festival's final performance comes from a group put together by Inaki Uriezaga, one of Argentina's foremost dancers and the man responsible for the success of Ballet Concierto.

Uriezaga, who was principal dancer with London's Royal Ballet for 10 years, has an extensive repertoire, ranging from classical to modern. This performance will showcase Carmen during the first half of the show, followed by a tango showcase during the second.

For further details on festival tickets, please check out our Happenings section.