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Abstract
This qualitative research, entitled “National Artist Wisdom : Master Samran Koetphol”,
aims to investigate the Thai musician artist’s history, works, musical stylistic identity,
theoretical thoughts, and knowledge transmission. The data to be presented for the study
were qualitatively gathered from various resources including primary resources, secondary
resources, fieldwork observations, and related personal formal interviews.
Master Samran Koetphol was born in musician family on July 22, 1930, at the
province of Phra Nakhorn Si Ayutthaya. Master Samran Koetphol began his Thai music lesson
at the age of nine. He continued his Thai music studying at Thai musician school of the
Pattayakosol
family. In that meantime, he had studied various types of Thai traditional song
performing, principles of Thai music composing, and modern Western music notation. In
1954, he received from Master Aat Sunthon the right as a Thai music
Wai Khru
ceremony
master and all Thai music scores those which used to be the
Pattayakosol
family’s collection.
In addition to his musical role model, Master Samran Koetphol has been a Thai traditional
medical doctor and the village-chief of the
Bangchanee
sub district of
Bangban
district as
well. He received the honor high esteem of the National Artist of the Performing Art (Thai
traditional music) of the year 2005. In 1945, Master Samran Koetphol created his first
composition entitled
Phleng Sammainai Thao
. Years later came after a number of various
types of works including Thai music for solo instruments,
Phleng Na Pat
,
Phleng Homrong
(the overture),
Phleng Thao, Phleng Samchan, Phleng Reuang
(the suite), dances, song for
solo singing,
Phleng Tap
(the song cycle), and transcribing Thai music in modern Western
music notation. Master Samran Koetphol’s musical stylish identity is prominently integrated
from aspects of conservative thought of the
Pattayakosol
school formal structure, specific
sophisticated skill in
Ranad Ek
improvisation, having creative inspiration, and personalities of
an excellent music teacher as well as National Artist being.
In his scholastic works, Master Samran Koetphol wrote a number of articles and
treatises comprising of principles of
Phleng Na Pat
, Thai music compositional techniques etc.
In addition to be mentioned previously, he also composed different types of Thai music such
as songs of the Thai nationalism, songs in foreign styles (Chinese, Khmer, Farang, Laos
styles), and song cycle based on the modern Thai popular tunes (
Phleng Thai Sakon
and
Phleng luk Thung
).
In his pedagogical techniques, Master Samran Koetphol has highly attention to his
student’s learning. He has created new technique methods of teaching Thai music
instrumental improvisation. He has been teaching not only in instrumental performing but
also in the knowledge of conventional manners for the Thai artist’s expression, Thai music
history, Thai music ensemble adjustment, and other concerned of his life experiences aside
from those which involved the mentioned musical knowledge.
Keywords
: Wisdom, National artist, Samran Koetphol