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Published on January 20,
2006
Nine days of performances of Mozart’s music began in
Bangkok
yesterday to mark the 250th anniversary of the Austrian composer’s birth.
The event, called “Enchanting Austria”, is being held at Fashion Hall on the
first floor of the Siam Paragon mall until January 27.
“During the coming week we shall celebrate
Austria as a modern European
country with plenty of culture and tradition. We celebrate the 250th birth
anniversary of the great Austrian composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart,” said
Austrian Ambassador to Thailand Arno Riedel, who presided over the opening
of the event yesterday.
“There will be hundreds of
Mozart concerts performed all over Austria
during the year. If you love the music of Mozart, Austria is definitely the
place to go this year. Today, we celebrate here at the Siam Paragon with
music, with fashion and with other typical Austrian features,” he said
The Austrian Embassy in Bangkok is hosting the event in collaboration
with Austrian Airlines, Swarovski (Thailand) Ltd, the
Dusit Thani Hotel and
Siam Paragon Development.
Mozart’s music will be brought to life in free concerts from noon to 8pm
every day. Several local music schools, including Indhuon and Artas
Balakauskas Studio, Siam Kitarin Music School, DNUS International Music
Academy, Yamaha Music Academy, Sarasas Extra School and Srinakharinwiroj
University, will be performing.
The celebration wraps up with a grand finale charity concert by violinist
Wolfgang David and renowned Thai pianist Srikaranonda Indhuon at the Dusit
Thani on January 28.
Apart from paying tribute to one of history’s greatest composers,
“Enchanting Austria” also aims to strengthen the ties between Austria and
Thailand in art, culture, trade and tourism.
“Both Thailand and Austria are proud of their great traditions and
outstanding cultures. This is one reason why the Thai people and Austrian
people like each other so much. There are a great number of Thai students
going to study Mozart’s music in Austria. We both share a clear
understanding of beauty and style,” said Riedel
Among the highlights of yesterday’s opening was a performance of Mozart
pieces by Thai soprano Nakananthinoo Worakhitanan – a student of reputed
Ajarn Dusdi Banomyong Buntasnakul of the Suanplu Chorus, which has won many
awards on the international stage – and a duet by celebrated young violinist
Thaweewet Srinarong and pianist Pornphan Banterng-hansa. Both Thaweewet and
Pornphan are PhD candidates in the US who have worked with many world-class
musicians and have many awards to their credit. There was also a spectacular
fashion show featuring crystal ornaments in Austria’s national flag colours
of red and white by Austrian crystal maker Swarovski.
Austrian Airlines, Swarovski, and Dusit Thani are trying to show the best
of Austria at the event. The airline will offer classes by waltz masters
Heinz and Karin Grossmann, who flew in directly from Vienna.
Swarovski is displaying fine cut crystal and is holding a fashion
workshop to guide fashionistas on fashion, crystal, and Feng Shui.
Kupluthai Pungkanon
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