Glass harp in Nakhon Pathom

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Inmates find solace in glass harp

 

Group of 52 form 1st orchestra of its kind

 

Pawarisa Phumas

 

Women inmates from Nakhon Pathom Central Prison demonstrate their musical talents with the glass harp, which they learned under the tuition of Weeraphong Thaweesak. - PAWARISA PHUMAS

Women inmates at Nakhon Pathom Central Prison have formed the world's first glass-harp orchestra under the guidance of Weeraphong Thaweesak, the only soloist in the Asian region.

 

The orchestra line-up includes a total of 52 inmates, who play simultaneously by lightly sliding their fingers around the rims of glasses, filled with water to various levels to produce a full scale of notes.

 

''The prisoners I have trained can currently play the glass harp only to a certain level, but they are the world's first orchestra of its kind,'' said Mr Weeraphong.

 

''There are only 20 soloists worldwide, including me, and I am the only player in Asia'', he said.

 

The orchestra was established with financial support from provincial governor Nawin Khanthahiran.

 

Prison warder Sorasit Chongcharoen said he wished all prisoners would pursue musical pastimes, which he said helped to soften their hearts.

 

At least one orchestra member, who asked not to be named, held similar views.

 

She said though the orchestra had been together for a relatively short time, her fellow inmates believed playing the glass harp had helped them to relax and boosted their morale.

 

The orchestra's favourite piece was Sai Fon (Rainfall), composed by His Majesty the King, which the inmate said inspired her to strive for perfection.

 

''Playing the glass harp is a great and rare opportunity for all of us. Our teacher said we are the first glass-harp orchestra in the world. This makes us proud,'' she said. ''One day, we may have a chance to play to the world.''

 

Mr Weeraphong said the inmates were initially trained to play traditional music with simple notes, before moving on to more difficult foreign compositions.

 

He said the instrument took him more than seven years to master, during which time he tested almost 1,000 glasses for their musical qualities.

 

Glass harps were first played more than five centuries ago, when musicians used champagne glasses filled with water to produce notes in clear pitch.

 

Mr Weeraphong likened playing the glass harp to the Angkalung, a traditional percussion instrument made from bamboo.

 

From BKKPost....HT