The high notes of a musical life

For many Thais, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej was not only the Father of the Nation but also one of the great artists of all time.
The world’s longest-reigning monarch, His Majesty started learning music at the age of 13 while living in Lausanne, Switzerland. In the beginning, his interest was focused on the saxophone, musicology, composing and playing but he later shifted to jazz, playing his saxophone along with the records of such jazz legends as Johnny Hodges, Sidney Bechet, Benny Goodman, Stan Getz, Lionel Hampton and Benny Carter, as well as Dixieland jazz, his preferred music style.
At the age of 18, the King composed the melody of his first song, “Saeng Tien” (“Candlelight Blues”). Even today, his most popular numbers are the catchy, light-hearted “Yam Yen” (“Love at Sundown”) and the more wistful “Sai Fon” (“Falling Rain”), all written in 1946, the year he became the ninth King of Thailand’s Chakri dynasty.
Thais of all backgrounds have found much to admire in all 48 of the King's compositions such as “Klai Roong” (“Near Dawn”), “Chata Chevit” (“HM Blues”),” “Lom Nao” (“Love in Spring”), “Waew” (“Echo”), and “Duang Jai Kub Kwam Rak” (“Heart and Love”). All the King’s songs have enjoyable melodies and strong lyrics with good meaning and are part of every Thai’s life.
During the times when the Kingdom was not at peace, the King composed some patriotic music as moral support for government officials, military
personnel, and citizens. Through these songs, he tried to provide encouragement to his people to do what was right for the nation, the religion, the King, as well as for themselves and society at large.
The King used music as an indirect tool to connect with and strengthen the bonds between the monarchy and university students, as well as to reinforce profound and well-established relationships between Thailand and other countries. His musical talent was widely recognised by foreigners, musicians among them. Indeed, jazz guitarist Larry Carlton, one of the guest musicians at the Royal Jazz Dinner held at Government House on January 28, 2007, wrote on the CD sleeve: “Unique, Once in a Lifetime Project. I felt a great responsibility to interpret these wonderful and diverse melodies in my own way. May all who listen be pleased”.
In 1952, the King established Amporn Sathan (Aor Sor) Radio Station as a centre for entertainment and information and formed the band, Wong Lai Kram which, along with other combos, played for the station’s live broadcasts. Later, the King recruited young generation musicians and renamed the band Aor Sor Wan Suk (Aor Sor Friday), playing with them for the regular Friday broadcasts.
“Music links everything,” said Privy Councillor Admiral ML Usni Pramoj, a member of Aor Sor Wan Suk, “and, as a band, musicians must be united – that's an important lesson. All of His Majesty's musical compositions are beautiful and should be performed more often. We would normally practise on Sundays and we played on the radio every Friday. It was a great pleasure.
“We didn’t know jazz – His Majesty introduced us to the music, and it was very lively, with endless improvisation. His Majesty is truly the supreme artist, and the melodies and lyrics are beautiful, so one-of-a-kind.”
“The King is also a great composer,” said Professor Rapee Sagarik, also a member of Aor Sor Wan Suk, “The King was always very happy when he was playing music. During his honeymoon at Klai Kangwon Palace in Hua Hin, the King ordered the band to play music all night long and royal guards danced along until the morning.”
“His Majesty has a personal warmth and aura in him,” says Dr Pathorn Srikaranonda, a son of National Artist Manrat. “When he plays the saxophone, he always finds a way to express it from his inner thoughts. It's unbelievable.”
In honour of the musical genius of HM the King, in 1964, the Academy for Music and Performing Arts of Vienna presented the Certificate and the Honorary Member No 23 to His Majesty the King, making him youngest honorary member, and the only Asian to receive this auspicious honour.
In 1986, the King established the brass band Sahai Pattana, bringing together officials and officers who regularly travelled with him as he continued his development of many regions of Thailand. He continued to practise every Friday evening and Sunday with Aor Sor Wan Suk at Aor Sor Radio Station, and every evening with Sahai Pattana Band at Sala Dusidalai, Chitralada Rahothan Palace.
The King was not only interested in Western music but also in traditional Thai music. He initiated a project to collect traditional Thai songs by documenting and recording the notes and conducted research into various types of traditional music.
“Music is a part of me, whether it be jazz or not. Music is in everybody, it is a major part in our lives. For me, music is exquisite and delicate. Everybody should admire the value of every kind of music because each type of music is appropriate for a different occasion and mood,” said the King in his speech at the Voice of America radio programme in 1960.