Experience of youth

In an eyebrow-raising move, maestro Somtow Sucharitkul asked 19-year-old Ruaychai Saengow to serve as concertmaster for the Siam Philharmonic Orchestra's Thai premiere of Mahler's "Symphony No 5".

The move was not only approved but encouraged by Thunwin Jaipien, the orchestra's resident concertmaster.

"When I was young," Thunwin says, "senior violinists were generous enough to step back and give me a chance to lead. That's how I got my first gig as concertmaster. It's time for me to do the favour for a new generation of concertmasters."

Thunwin will be at Ruaychai's side to guide him.

"I'm fully aware that some might call this decision madness," says Somtow.

Mahler's "Symphony No 5" is the most difficult symphony ever attempted by any Thai orchestra, he says. "It's not only technically difficult, it requires an understanding of idiom, philosophy and poetry.

"But I've been analysing the Mahler symphonies with Ruaychai ever since he was 12 years old and joined the Siam Philharmonic's apprentice programme."

Young blood crucial

Somtow, who "discovered" the Bangkok Opera's 23-year-old conductor Trisdee na Patalung at age 15 and mentored the talented pianist and conductor to win international awards, says it's crucial that classical music nurture the youngsters.

"We live in a very seniority-driven culture," Somtow says, "and there are many issues with allowing young people to lead."

"Music is not an age-driven art form," he continues. "Mendelssohn wrote his greatest music before the age of 18, and Yehudi Menuhin's recording of the Elgar concerto, made at the age of 15, is considered one of the finest recordings ever made. And we're not even talking about Mozart yet.

"I want to send an important message to young people in this country who are learning an instrument or just starting to listen to classical music. I want to say this: Don't be afraid. The entire legacy of classical music is yours. You own this music. You have the right to interpret it anew."

 MAHLER ROARS

>> The Siam Philharmonic Orchestra performs Gustav Mahler's "Symphony No 5" at 8 tomorrow at the Thailand Cultural Centre.

>> The Complete Mahler Cycle is expected to run until 2013. It's a co-production of the Bangkok Opera, the Conservatory of Music, Rangsit University and the Austrian Embassy.

>> The Siam Philharmonic's 2004 performance of "Symphony No 4" can be viewed in part on YouTube. A full video will shortly be available.

 >> Tickets are Bt100 to Bt900 at Thaiticketmajor. Call (02) 262-3456.