At the 4th and final Classical Concert series at the Silverlake on the 9th of March, 2011, two beautiful new cellos and a magnificent viola were presented to the Chiang Rai Youth Orchestra by the brilliant Russian cellist Artem Konstantinov. The donation was made on behalf of the Siam Chamber Orchestra Foundation, represented by the SCO’s founders, composer Richard Harvey and John Pawson, and received by Paramet Lertkasem, founder, conductor, teacher and musical director of the Chiang Rai Youth Orchestra.
The three instruments- worth almost 100,000 baht – were bought by the SCO’s musical director, Richard Harvey, on a recent trip to China, using funds raised by this season’s hugely successful Siam Chamber Orchestra concerts at the Silverlake Vineyard, near Pattaya.
Russian cellist Artem Konstantinov, left, gives a virtuoso performance at Silverlake Vineyard on Wednesday, March 9
In the four part series classical concert festival held at the Silverlake Vineyard in the last two months, renowned Thai and international artists from around the world have come together to signal their support for music in Thailand by playing for free, while being supported by Robinson Piano, which supplied superb Steinway pianos for several of the performances.
In his speech, John Pawson said, “I’d like to thank Artem Konstantinov for flying here from Hong Kong just for this special occasion and to thank Khun Paramet, too, for coming down from Chiang Rai to take delivery of these fine instruments. I am delighted that we’ve been able to make a donation like this to help and encourage Thailand’s young musicians, as this is exactly the kind of thing the SCO Foundation was set up to do.
Composer Richard Harvey, left, and SCO co-founder John Pawson, center, stand with Chiang Rai Youth Orchestra’s Paramet Lertkasem after he is presented with the new musical instruments.
“It is a privilege to be able to encourage and help great musical initiatives, like the continuing development of this extraordinary and talented Chiang Rai Youth Orchestra, and The SCO Foundation aims to do everything it can to continue improving access to classical music, teaching and instruments for students throughout Thailand.”
