Fab four return

Winning the International Youth Chamber Music Competition 2005 in Switzerland sent them spinning round the world for concerts in China, Italy, Austria, Germany and Canada.

Now, almost five years later, the four kids of the Dr Sax Chamber Orchestra are back to show how their musical talents have grown, with "Solo Night No 9: The Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi," a concert at the Stock Exchange of Thailand this Friday.

Meet the band

Cellist Tapalin Charoensook and violinists Visanee Vongvirulh, Chalat Limpisiri and Pongthep Jitduangprem have practised together for three to six hours a week for the last 12 years. That hard work has produced eight albums so far, but the group is still a non-commercial venture.

The quartet was launched to the heights by the Sugree Charoensook foundation's Talent Education Search Project, which nurtures 20 of the country's most musically gifted youngsters.

Cellist Tapalin recalls how they flew through the auditions for the International Youth Chamber Music Competition, only having to play their piece once while other groups were asked for at least three repeats.

Rising stars

Before conquering the world stage, the quartet had been playing small events like weddings and exhibitions.

"After we won the competition, we were famous enough to hold a big concert in Thailand," says Tapalin.

She adds that as undergraduate students the four have to balance music practise with lectures and homework. "We're just like any other teens."

So, what about this Friday's performance?

"The pieces evoke spring, summer, autumn and winter in turn," says Tapalin. "Instruments imitate the sounds of birdsong and the wind, " adds Visanee.

But like their friends VieTrio at Grammy, Dr Sax enjoy bringing out the lively, fun side of classical music.

"Classical is more complex than pop music," says Visanee. You have to find the meaning of it by yourself so you need to use more imagination."

 All 'Four Seasons'

The Dr Sax Chamber Orchestra perform at SetTrade on September 4 and at Ratchapat Nakornsawan on September 20.

Visit www.DrSaxChamberOrchestra.com.