CATALOG OF SOMTOW SUCHARITKUL’S MUSICAL COMPOSITIONS
This catalog is a work in progress. Please check back from time to time as more scores are unearthed. Somtow’s music is published by UNIVERSAL EDITION. Works are being added to the catalog all the time. If you would like to obtain one of Somtow’s scores and would like us to put it on his Universal Edition page, please send an email to intendant@bangkokopera.com.
OPERA & STAGE
JUVENILIA (Stage WORKS)
Brand (1969-70) based on Ibsen's play of the same name. Completed in short score. Manuscript lost. Legend says that a copy exists in the archives of den Norske Opera, to whom it was submitted, but it has not been found.
Michelangelo (1973) went into rehearsal at Cambridge with conductor James Ellis, choir master Robert Saxton, Jacek Strauch in the title role - production petered out for lack of funds and organization - as yet unperformed
Interfaces (1975) Fragmentary science fiction opera. Libretti composed for three operas in a seven-opera 'heptalogy'. Only about 10 minutes of fully orchestrated score survive.
PRODUCED stage worls
Kaki (1997) a ballet. Score created electronically. Premiered at the Royal Orchid Sheraton, Bangkok.
Madana (2001) first performance Bangkok Opera, under composer's direction
Mae Naak (2003) first performance Bangkok Opera, under composer's direction, revised 2005, 2011 for subsequent revivals
Ayodhya (2006) first performance Bangkok Opera, directed by Hans Nieuwenhuis, conducted by composer
The Silent Prince (2010) first performance Houston, Texas, conducted by Viswa Subbaraman; second production for Opera Siam directed by the composer, conducted by Trisdee na Patalung
Reya - The Musical (2012) first performance Bangkok, Aksra Theatre, conducted by Trisdee na Patalung
Suriyothai (2013) a ballet-opera, first performance Opera Siam, directed by the composer, conducted by Trisdee na Patalung
Mahajanaka (2014) a ballet-opera in four tableaux, music adapted from Mahajanaka Symphony (1999) premiere July 2014 Bangkok, conducted by Trisdee na Patalung
Dan no Ura (2014) first performance scheduled for Bangkok by Opera Siam August 2014, directed by the composer, conducted by Trisdee na Patalung
The Snow Dragon (2014) first performance scheduled for Skylight Theater, Milwaukee, March 2015
Bhuridat: The Dragon Lord (2015) first performed Bangkok, May 22-24
Suwana Sama, the Faithful Son (2015) first performance Bangkok, Dec 5, 2015
Nemiraj - The Chariot of Heaven (2016) first performance Bangkok, June 2016
Mahosot - Architect of Dreams (2019) first performance Bangkok, 2019
Chandakumar (2019) first performance Bangkok, 2019
Helena Citrónová (2020) first performance Bangkok, 2020; European premiere Hof, 2022. English and German language versions available.
LARGE CHOIR WORKS
In Memoriam 9/11 (2002) for soprano, large chorus, and orchestra, commissioned by the government of Thailand in memory of the 9/11 tragedy.
Mountbatten Cantata (2014) for soprano, choir and chamber orchestra, commissioned by the Mountbatten Foundation. Purchase Vocal Score at Amazon
Requiem for the Mother of Songs (2011) for seven soloists, two boys’ choirs, large chorus, off-stage brass and large orchestra, composed in memory of HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana. Hear on Spotify
ORCHESTRA (chamber and symphony)
Views from the Golden Mountain (1975) for chamber orchesra and Thai instruments, first performance live broadcast for Thai TV Channel 7
A Catch of Waters (1975) for six chamber orchestras surrounding the audience
Fragments for a Wooden Horse (1975) first performance St. Edward’s Church, Cambridge
Gongula (1976) for Thai and Western instruments, premiered on Thai TV Channel 7 broadcast
Gongula Three (1978) for Thai and Western Instruments, premiered at Asian Composers Expo 78 in Bangkok
Starscapes (1979) for soprano and ensemble, premiered at the Conference on the Fantastic, Florida Atlantic University
Star Maker: An Anthology of Universes (2001, 2004) for four sopranos and orchestra, commissioned by the McLean Symphony and performed under Dingwall Fleary in Washngton, DC
Mahajanaka Symphony (1997) commissioned by the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra in honour of the 60th anniversary of HM King Rama IX
Avatar (1998) commissioned by the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra
Pridi Symphony (1998) commissioned by the Pridi Banomyong Foundation in honour of Pridi Banomyong
Galyani Symphony (2004) commissioned by Dt. Arthit Ourairat for the birhday of HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana
Queen Sirikit Concerto (2005) composed in honour of the birthday of HM Queen Sirikit of Thailand
From the Life of Abu Nuwas (2014) composed in honour of the Siam Sinfonietta tour in Abu Dhabi
Suriyothai Suite (2014) - arranged from Suriyothai ballet, 4-movement version premiered in Disney Hall, Los Angeles International Music Festival, 6-movement version premiered in Konzerthaus Berlin. Order “Burmese March” from Universal Edition
Helena Citronova Suite (2019) - four excerpts from Helena Citrónová for soprano and orchestra, premiered at Contemporary Music Festival in Olomouc.
CHAMBER WORKS
Cemeteries (1974) for violin and piano. Premiere: Asian Composers’ League Conference-Festival, Kyoto. Order from Universal Edition
Etudes sans Frontières (2005) five pieces for piano solo. Order from Universal Edition
Five of Pentacles (2020) suite for five solo flutes
A CAPELLA CHOIR AND CHOIR WITH SMALL FORCES
Our Lady of Lan Na (2012) setting of Ave Maria in Northern Thai language for boys’ choir (SSA) and harp or piano. Order from Universal Edition
Clare-Voyance (2014) two John Clare poems for unaccompanied choir, commissioned by the Fairhaven Singers of Cambridge for the 150th anniversary of the poet’s death. Order from Universal Edition. Listen to the fabulous recording by Fairhaven Singers.
FILM SCORES
The Laughing Dead (1989) dir. S.P. Somtow
Ill Met By Moonlight (1994) dir. S.P. Somtow
Charades (1998) dir. Stephen Eckelberry
The Maestro: A Symphony of Terror (2021) dir. Paul Spurrier