Thanatat Sriaranyakul and Bros String Nonet: Brahms Violin Concerto Symphony No. 4

Program:

1. Brahms – Violin Concerto in D major, opus 77

l.    Allegro non troppo (D major)

ll.   Adagio (F major)

lll.  Allegro giocoso, ma non troppo vivace — Poco più presto (D major)

The Violin Concerto in D major op. 77, was composed by Johannes Brahms in 1878 and dedicated to his friend, the violinist Joseph Joachim. It is Brahms’s only violin concerto, and, according to Joachim, one of the four great German violin concerti. The Germans have four violin concertos. The greatest, most uncompromising is Beethoven’s. The one by Brahms vies with it in seriousness. The richest, the most seductive, was written by Max Bruch. But the most inward, the heart’s jewel, is Mendelsohn’s.

Originally, the work was planned in four movements like the second piano concerto. The middle movements, one of which was intended to be a scherzo—a mark that Brahms intended a symphonic concerto rather than a virtuoso showpiece—were discarded and replaced with what Brahms called a “feeble Adagio.” Some of the discarded material was reworked for the second piano concerto.

Brahms, who was impatient with the minutiae of slurs marking the bowing, rather than phrasing, as was his usual practice, asked Joachim’s advice on the writing of the solo violin part. Joachim, who had first been alerted when Brahms informed him in August that “a few violin passages” would be coming in the mail, was eager that the concerto should be playable and idiomatic, and collaborated willingly, but not all his advice was heeded in the final score. The most familiar cadenza, which appears in the first movement, is by Joachim, though a number of people have provided alternatives.

Brahms’ concerto is known for its technical demands on the violinist. Unlike many concertos of the time, it does not have long virtuosic passages for showmanship but instead requires nuanced phrasing, emotional depth, and intricate interplay between the soloist and orchestra. While the concerto received mixed reviews initially (some critics found it too complex and dense), it soon became a staple of the violin repertoire and is now regarded as one of the greatest violin concertos ever composed.

Brahms’ deep understanding of the violin and his ability to integrate the soloist into the fabric of the orchestra gives this concerto a unique depth and sophistication.

INTERMISSION

2. Brahms – Symphony No. 4 in E minor

l.  Allegro non troppo (E-minor)

ll.  Andante moderato (E-major)

lll. Allegro giocoso (C-major)

lV. Allegro energico e passionato (E-minor)

The Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98 by Johannes Brahms is the last of his symphonies. Brahms began working on the piece in Mürzzuschlag (Steiermark, Austria), then in the Austro-Hungarion Empire, in 1884, just a year after completing his 3rd Symphony. Brahms conducted the Court Orchestra in Meiningen, Germany, for the work’s premiere on 25 October 1885.

The symphony’s finale is particularly noteworthy for its use of the passacaglia form, a variation on a bass line, which Brahms adapted from Bach’s Cantata 150. This made it the first symphony to end with a slow and solemn movement instead of a cheerful one, deviating from the tradition of bright finales.

The symphony is often described as serious and complex, and was initially considered difficult to receive. Despite its complexity, the first movement features a leisurely opening theme. The symphony is also known for its rich orchestration and emotional depth.

PERFORMED BY:

Thanatat Sriaranyakul, violin solo

and

Bros String Nonet

Thanatat Sriaranyakul (b. 2000) is a dynamic Thai violinist known for his expressive artistry and technical brilliance. He began his musical journey at age six on piano before discovering his true passion for the violin at age eight. Thanatat has studied under esteemed teachers including Ms. Sreewan Wathawathana, Dr. Akkrawat Srinarong, Mr. Sittichai Pengcharoen, Ms. Bing Han, and Dr. Paris Paraschoudis. A consistently awarded scholar, he received music scholarships throughout his education, culminating in a full scholarship to the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, National University of Singapore, where he studied with Professor Zuo Jun and graduated with merit honors.

As a performer, Thanatat has appeared as a soloist with ensembles such as the Sunrise String Orchestra and the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra, and most recently in 2024 with the Bangkok Metropolitan Orchestra. He served as concertmaster for the YST Orchestral Institute in 2022 and participated in the LEAD! International Symphony Orchestra Finland Tour. Currently, he is a member of both the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra and the Bangkok Metropolitan Orchestra as a Tutti First Violinist.

Thanatat has earned numerous national and international accolades, including First Prize at the SALA Free Stage 2024 and Best Performer at the OSAKA International Music Competition 2024. He was a quarterfinalist in Singapore’s National Piano & Violin Competition (2021), and a multiple-time gold medalist in events such as the Virtual Virtuoso Competition, SET Youth Musician Competition, and Ministry of the Private Education Competition. He has also won top prizes in ensemble categories, including international competitions in Vienna, Salzburg, and New York with groups such as the Yimpyamp String Quartet and Sunrise String Orchestra, showcasing his excellence as both a soloist and chamber musician.

Chanasorn started his first violin lesson in 2002 at Prince Royal’s College. He had opportunity to studied with Mr. Prawet Subongkot. Chanasorn entered the pre-college and undergraduate program at College of Music, Mahidol University, majored in Classical Music Performance under the tutelage of Prof. Sittichai Pengcharoen and Prof. Juris Madrevich. He is currently studying the Master of Music degree in Violin Performance and Pedagogy at the College of Music, Mahidol University, having Prof. Omiros Yavroumis as an instructor. Moreover, He had taken masterclasses with many great teachers and violinists such as Mr. Vadim Tchiik, Mr. Boris Belkin, Mr. Christoph Poppen and many others.

Since 2011, Chanasorn had joined the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra. His orchestral experience includes performing with World Philharmonic Orchestra (WPO) in Paris and Chiang-Mai Youth Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO). He won the Mahidol String Compettion and get invited to perform with Mahidol Symphony Orchestra. Moreover, he received silver award of Settrade Youth Music Competitionhad attended and get through the final round of Beethoven Thailand String Competition (2011), Thailand String Compettition (2015), and Princess Galyani Vadhana International Ensemble Com-petition as a first violin of Lotus quartet (2016).

Naphatipa Preechanon earned her Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from the College of Music, Mahidol University. During her time there, she received numerous scholarships, including the Golden Prize in the SET Youth Musician Competition, the Merit Scholarship, Talent Scholarship, and the General Prem Tinsulanonda Scholarship. She is currently performing as a member of the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra. She has participated in masterclasses with world-renowned artists such as Christoph Poppen, Jack Liebeck, Sophia Reuter, Ursula Dehler, Akihiro Miura (Concertmaster of the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra), Gorzynska Barbara, Akihmayer, and Peter Schuhmayer from the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna and Prayner Conservatory in Vienna.

Naphatipa has received several awards in both solo and chamber music competitions, including First Prize in the Yamaha Thailand Music Festival, Third Prize in the Princess Galyani Vadhana International Ensemble Competition, Second Prize in the Thailand Second String Competition, Third Prize in the Sixth Beethoven Competition in Thailand, and was a national representative at the 12th Osaka International Music Competition in Japan.She served as the concertmaster of the Young Artists Musician Orchestra at Mahidol University in 2016. As a member of the Siam Sinfonietta, she has performed at prestigious venues and festivals around the world, including the Berlin Konzerthaus (Young Europe Classic Festival), Dresden Taschenbergpalais, Prinzregententheater in Munich, Carnegie Hall and Central Park in New York, and the Young Artists Festival Bayreuth and Beyond in Germany.

In 2014, Ittipat won first prize at the Princess Galayani Vadhana Ensemble Competition with his chamber group, Alisore Chamber. In 2022, he participated in the European tour with the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra (TPO). A member of TPO since its 9th season, Ittipat currently serves as Co-Principal of the Second Violin section.

At present, he holds the position of concertmaster for the Siam Sinfonietta under the guidance of Thai National Artist Somtow Sucharitkul. He also performs with the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra and the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra (RBSO) on occasion.

Nawattasit Kanjanajai was born on June, 24th 1988 in Chiang Mai, Thailand. He started the first music lesson with electone at Yamaha music school in Chiang Mai at the age of 7.When he was 9 years old, he began his piano lesson with Mrs. Umawadee Lopetch. After that, he took violin course at the age of 10 with Mr. Jorn Jaroenphan.7 years later, he interested in Viola and studied with Prof. Prawate Subongkot. In 2007 he study seriously in viola at the College of Music, Mahidol University where he was lectured by Prof. Juris Madrevics, Prof. Vladislav Shumakov, Ajarn Suppaporn Suwanpakdee and Prof. Danny Keasler,DM.

Moreover, Nawattasit also had masterclasses with well-known violist for instance; Prof. Peter Langartner and Prof.Dr. Juliet White-Smith. In 2011, he won the silver medal of SETTRADE young thai music competition.He also joined many orchestra such as Uni-sono Chamber Orchestra (1st prize, Princess Galyani Vadhana International Ensemble Competition 2013), Dr.Sax Chamber Orchestra, Mahidol Symphony Orchestra, Southeast Asian Youth Orchestra and a member of Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra.

Phattarapoj Sawangchaeng or Louis started studying music at 7 years old first instrument is the piano. When he was 10, he became interested in Violin and studied at Yamaha Music School for 3 years. Louis started his first violin lesson at Viemus Music School with Phukorn Srinarong. In the Pre-college level got accepted at the College of Music, Mahidol University in Violin Major and changed to Viola Major study with Dr. Danny Keasler for 3 years and passed the audition into the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra (Season 9). 2015 he moved to study undergraduate program at Princess Galyani Vadhana Institute of Music as a Viola Major with Miti Wisuthumporn.

He is also interested in the Japanese language and culture. In 2019, he moved to Hiroshima for his post-graduate studies at Elizabeth University of Music Hiroshima with a Viola Performance Major with Tanaka Akane for 2 years and to learn more about different cultures, perspectives, and aspects of life. During his studies, He had a lot of experience working in the orchestra organizing concerts, and working with lots of people in many countries. 2023 He returned to Thailand to work as a Musician and Violin/Viola teacher.

Thai cellist Panyaphat Wongwechwiwat has performed in top concert halls across the world, including Carnegie Hall in New York, Royal Festival Hall and Wigmore Hall in London, Musikverein in Vienna, and Suntory Hall in Tokyo. While he was abroad Panyaphat has had opportunities to work and perform with renowned conductors including Alan Gilbert, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Leonard Slatkin, Edward Gardner, Itzhak Perlman, and Bernard Haitink. Since graduating from The Juilliard School with a Bachelor of Music degree in 2016, Panyaphat has been back to Bangkok working both as a performer and a teacher.

After playing briefly with Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra in 2018 he joined Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra where he is currently the assistant principle cellist. Panyaphat regularly performs in smaller chamber groups with friends, as well as performing the extensive string quartet repertoires with Pro Musica Quartet. He has also recently been invited to join Sichuan Symphony Orchestra as guest principle cellist as well as Sun Symphony Orchestra in Hanoi. As a teacher Panyaphat has helped guided several students to win scholarships for international schools, won auditions for youth orchestras, and earning a spot at Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music in Singapore, as well as winning a position at Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra. Panyaphat also helped tutor many generations of young cellists in Thai Youth Orchestra.

Teerakiat Kerdlarp, born in 1995 in Thailand, is a passionate and experienced musician who has devoted over a decade to performing with professional orchestras. He earned his degree in Classical Music Performance from the College of Music, Mahidol University, and has since specialized in both orchestral performance and music education. As a certified Suzuki Method teacher and trained in Suzuki Early Childhood Education (SECE), Teerakiat combines his strong foundation in performance with a commitment to nurturing young musicians. One of his most distinguished roles was serving as Principal Cellist of the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra from 2018 to 2020, showcasing his leadership and musical excellence on a national stage.

Teerakiat’s orchestral experience includes serving as Principal Cellist with the Bangkok Metropolitan Orchestra (2020–Present) and performing as a Tutti Cellist with both the Thai Symphony Orchestra and Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra. He has also played as a substitute cellist with the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra. In addition to his performing career, Teerakiat is deeply involved in music education, inspiring the next generation through his work as a certified Suzuki and SECE teacher. He continues to pursue musical excellence while sharing his passion and expertise with young learners.

Prawwanitsita Neesanant, born in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, began studying double bass at age 16 with Mr. Patsakorn Intarasombat and later with Mr. Pongsathorn Surapab. She holds both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Western Music Performance from Chulalongkorn University. A versatile performer, she has appeared with leading ensembles including the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra, Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra, Thai Symphony Orchestra, and international groups such as the Sun Symphony Orchestra (Vietnam) and Symphoniker Hamburg (Martha Argerich Festival 2024). She currently serves as Principal Double Bass of Siam Sinfonietta and SoleOrchestra.

Prawwanitsita has toured across Asia, Europe, and the U.S., and has performed with a wide range of artists—from orchestras to pop/rock bands like Bodyslam and Zweed n’ Roll. Her awards include First Prize at the Summa Cum Laude Festival 2016 and Second Prize at PGVIEC 2019. As a soloist, she has performed in several featured concerts and actively teaches at St. Andrew International School and the Bangkok Metropolitan Youth Orchestra Camp. She is currently a member of the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra, an on-call musician with the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra, and a sought-after freelance artist.