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In the 2001 Time Magazine article ‘Detour,’ author Jennifer Gampell says that in Thailand the:
elephant population is plummeting, from a high of around 100,000 a century ago to barely 2,500 today. The depletion of the forests has eliminated log-hauling jobs, and many of the remaining elephants find themselves homeless, jobless and hungry. Some work in the tourism industry doing treks and tricks, often in unhealthy conditions.
The elephants’ music is surprisingly good. Definitely not human. Yet satisfying and rhythmic in an elephant sort of way. As I listen, I picture the grey wrinkled musicians keeping time by shifting from giant feet to giant feet. Ponderous, taking some time, yet agile too. And that’s how their musical rhythm often feels.
About their first CD, Amazon.com reviewer Bryan O’Sullivan says:
This is surely the most unusual concept for an album that I have ever come across, but the real surprise is that elephant music is accessible and pleasant. Well, let me qualify that; if you like avant-garde music, there’s a good chance this will appeal to you. It is easy to forget that 8,000 lb pachyderms are making this music, even if they are performing more or less under the direction of a New York musician and academic.
The orchestra members play an amazing array of elephant-sized instruments, including a gong, synthesizers, slit drums, panpipes, reed instruments, rattles, a diddly-bow bass, xylophone-like renats, and a thundersheet. They also use their own built in trumpets, providing a musical array of elephantine vocalizations.
and the second
is
Elephonic
Rhapsodies.
Both come with
information booklets that give highlights about the
musicians and their musical project, along with
numerous photographs of the elephants in action. Half
the proceeds from the CDs go to help operate the
Institute the orchestra members call home.
Some of the
song titles include Thung Kwian Sunrise, Temple Music,
Ganesha Triumphant, and Little Elephant Saddle, a
traditional Northern Thai song played by the orchestra
with Dave Soldier on violin. And yes, sometimes the
elephants jam with human musicians.
David Soldier also notes that many of the same elephants who play in the Thai Elephant Orchestra are also students at Komar and Melamid’s Elephant Art Academy. Especially impressive onsite is artwork by Gongkam and Wanpen, who were specially instructed by a traditional Chinese artist, and Larnkam who chooses to follow the same style. Duanpen and Kamsan have developed their own unique styles. Interestingly, many of these talented artists also love to play soccer.
Astonishing and wonderful. A group of talented elephant musicians who have their own CDs. I recently purchased their music not just to help support them, their home, and their school, but because I deeply appreciate their music. I hope you do too.
Resource Links
Academic Article by Dave Soldier
National Geographic Article & Audio Featuring Orchestra
Time Magazine Article ‘Detour’ by Jennifer Gampell
Photo Credit: Katherine de Vera
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