Symphonic Poem “Rattanakosin (R.E. 146-237),”

Symphonic poem “Rattanakosin (R.E. 146-237),” a composition by Vanich Potavanich (2014 Silpathorn Artist), is a 2018-innovative research funded by research institution of Rangsit University. Its lyric, written by Napol Sangpattanakornkit, aims to describe significant events of King Rama IX that occurred during R.E. 146-137 of the Rattanakosin period. A number of melodic motives are drawn from impactful national compositions including King Rama IX’s Candlelight Blue, the Thai national anthem, Thai Royal Barge song (“Hae ruea”), and Vijit Jitrangsan’s Rattanakosin (R.E. 1-145). Alongside these motives are two main themes developed by the composer through the method of musical cryptogram. The first theme “Bhumi” provides pitches B-C-E (h-u-mi) while the second theme “Kshat” (king) is based on pentatonic scales to array Thai characteristics.