Classics in the strings

German guitarist Hucky Eichelmann returns to Thailand to celebrate His Majesty King Bhumibol’s 85th birthday with a nationwide tour that kicks off on Tuesday and which showcases a selection of the King’s compositions as well as music from around the world.

Eichelmann will once again be collaborating with students from the broader community who will appear as guest performers at selected venues and also conducting workshops and master classes that focus on the King’s compositions.

The guitarist’s popularity in Thailand is closely associated with the music of the King, whose works have appeared on his best-selling albums “Kuen Nueng”, “Candlelight Blues” and “Sweet Words”.

“It has been a great honour for me to perform His Majesty’s magnificent music to audiences around the world to help expand and deepen awareness of His Majesty’s musical achievements, and to pass His Majesty’s musical treasures on from generation to generation,” he says.

The royal compositions on this year’s programme include “Still on My Mind”, “Never Mind the HM (Hungry Men’s) Blues” and “Oh I Say”.

And Eichelmann will also be introducing new elements to his programme: a guitar newly built by German luthier Gerhard Schnabl, newly tested Hannabach strings and the brand new AER amplification system, which will ensure his many fans enjoy the classical guitar to its fullest.

The brand new amp and piezzo system were installed just in time for this tour by AER chief executive Udo Roesner, who flew into Bangkok just to provide Eichelmann with the extraordinary sound equipment. Both the amplifier and piezzo system are still in a prototype stage, and have so far been played only by Eichelmann and a few other selected classical masters including Manuel Barrueco, David Russell and the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet.

“The new CGA V2 Amp by AER is simply overwhelming and so is the new TSC4 piezzo system. Both of them reproduce the delicate sound of the guitar in an absolutely authentic natural and pure way to the point that one does not even feel that it is amplified but rather coming directly from the instrument. It is definitely by far the best sound system ever built for the classical guitar and I feel privileged to have it available on this tour,” Eichelmann says.

The tour begins at Mae Fah University’s C4 Auditorium in Chiang Rai with a workshop being held the following day at Chiang Rai Rajabhat University. Eichelmann is at Chiang Mai University on August 22, Bunditpatanasilpa Institute in Sukhothai on August 24, and Phetchabun Rajabhat University on August 26 with a workshop scheduled for August 27.

Next month, Eichelmann heads up to Khon Kaen University for a performance on September 3 and workshop the next day. He’ll be a Mahasarakham University on September 5 and hosting a workshop the following day before heading down to Bangkok for a show at the  Bangkok Arts and Culture Centre on September 12. His next gigs take him to Suranaree University of Technology in Nakhon Ratchasima on September 24, and Thaksin University Phatthalung Campus on September 27 with a workshop on September 28.

 

Creative chords

_ Admission is free, with the exception of the Bangkok gig, which costs Bt1,200. Students pay Bt600.

_ They’re available at Thai Ticket Major outlets and online at to www.ThaiTicketMajor.com.

_ For more information, call Asia Music International at 

(02) 662 1836 or visit www.AMIThailand.com.