Far from Home

Far from Home is originally for solo cello based on my exploration of the use of Western instrumental and compositional techniques to express the emotional and cultural characteristics of Thai traditional music. This piece contains both lyrical and virtuosic passages that derived from the traditional Thai fiddle playing and Krao-nai style, which is considered to be among the most demanding styles for solo instruments. Although the musical expression and techniques used in this piece are somewhat different from the traditional Krao-nai style, it still conveys the emotions and cultural references of that style. Far from Home was graciously commissioned by the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra with the generous support of Dr. Sugree Charoensook. It was given its first performance by Thai cellist Tapalin Charoensook, the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra, and Maestro Alfonso Scarano conducting, on August 22-23, 2014, at Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.