Dance of the Lanna, For Solo Piano

Dance of the Lanna is the portrayal of a festival in Northern Thailand. Lanna refers to the people who live there, and the festival celebrates rebirth of their heritage. The festival is comprised of several dances depicting annual events of nature which provides the people with their sustenance. This piece portrays two of the dances: Dance of the Silk Weaver and Water is Life. The festival opens with a prelude by expressive solo Thai flute, proceeding to Thai string orchestra and Pi Nai oboe announcing the festival; leading to a fast-paced announcement of the dancers, moving into the themes of each dance, interspersed by the reintroductions of the dancers as they transition through each dance. The dances are slow with beautifully flowing movements. Since it is very hot there, exertion is kept minimal, some dances included fans or umbrellas to help cool the dancers. The style is slow, dramatic, unique movement of the dancers, appearing simplicity. The dancers are professionally trained since childhood. This piano solo uses techniques unique to the style of Thai music, depicting instruments used that are foreign to the piano student. The piece was composed for a piano student from Thailand descent who wanted to play music of his country on the piano. The mp3 is from computer notation. A search on YouTube will provide the performance in concert, with a modification by the piano student for a friend to play the flute opening, and and added treat with a dance by his sister, which was taught by their grandmother. See other pieces: Sounds of Siam, Puppets of Siam, for more renditions of the music of Thailand and its unique style.