Somnuek Saengarun, far right, and the Jongkraben Ensemble. (Photo courtesy of Pro Musica)

Thai classical music will fill the hall of Siam Society with reminiscence of our beloved kings during "The Sound Of Rattanakosin: Thai Music Of The Chakri Dynasty" concert on Wednesday July 24 at 7pm.

Presented by Pro Musica, the grand concert is aimed to provide the most exciting experience in Thai traditional music, covering the three primary Thai classical ensembles -- piphat (percussion instruments), khrueang sai (string instruments) and mahori (stringed and percussion instruments). The programme will consist of 10 compositions drawn from the historical backgrounds of the 10 past and present reigns of the kings of the Chakri dynasty.

They range from the ancient music of Rama I, through foreign sounds influenced by the maritime trade during Rama III's reign, western influences during the reigns of Rama V and VI, the innovative and modern sound of Rama IX to the grand coronation of the present King Rama X. The concert will demonstrate the sounds of this unique instrumentation and the combination of various ensembles from the energetic and virtuosic xylophone to the sweetness of the Thai three-string fiddle or saw samsai as rendered by Jongkraben Ensemble.

Hailed as one of the most innovative and versatile performers of the Thai music scene, Jongkraben Ensemble has appeared on various television programmes and has performed both traditional Thai music and contemporary fusion Thai-Western music.

It was founded in 2003 by Captain Somnuek Saengarun, a veteran traditional Thai and contemporary musician with expertise in wind instruments, who will conduct the ensemble in this show, with musical accompaniment by the Pro Musica Ensemble.

Tickets cost 600 baht (100 baht for students). Siam Society is on Asok Road.