Pattaya Mail organizes charity concert in celebration of 20 years of service to the community
Hucky Eichelmann, the German musician who has become synonymous with classical guitar in Thailand brought his unique sound to Pattaya for two days to benefit disadvantaged children.
Hucky performed a set of His Majesty the King’s jazz compositions at the Jan. 25 show at the Amari Orchid Pattaya. The 57-year-old guitarist, who earned his fame through rearrangements of royal compositions, also played a variety of music from around the world.
Guests of honour attending included Gen. Kanit Permsub, deputy chief aide-de-camp General to HM the King, his wife Khunying Busyarat and their son Kanate, MD of New Frontier Music.
Peter Malhotra, managing director of the Pattaya Mail Media Group, the organizer of the concert, welcomed guests, expressing his gratitude to the audience and all the sponsors saying, “The main purpose for inviting Hucky to perform at this very special event was to honour His Majesty the King on the auspicious occasion of his 86th birthday.
“This year also marks the 20th anniversary of the Pattaya Mail Media Group and we decided that rather than throwing a huge party that would cost a lot of money, we would rather organise a worthwhile project that would bring relief and goodwill to those in need.
“Part of the funds raised will be allocated to the Rotary Club of Phönix Pattaya who have implemented a project to support the Prostheses Foundation of H.R.H. the Princess Mother in providing artificial limbs to those in need.
“The other beneficiary will be the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya who will receive and utilize funds to provide education for underprivileged children and also to provide school amenities and repairs to rural schools.”
The songs which Eichelmann played were mainly classics from Thailand, folk music from Issan and one piece from Pattaya. Only a few songs were from other parts in the world, amongst them a song by one of his friends, which was called “Spunky German Tunes.”
Hucky, who is also called the “intermediary between east and west,” revealed he likes to combine cultures and classics with modern songs. He impressed the audience with his play, showing effortlessness and special skills while touching the strings of his classical guitar.
Hucky told Pattaya Mail on TV how he came to play compositions by HM the King. “In earlier days, there were only three people in Thailand who played classical guitar and I knew them very well,” he said. “They told me to play the compositions. I didn’t know those pieces, since there was not much radio around, and surely not all the electronic gadgets of today.
Hucky captivated the audience with his musical ingenuity and charisma.
“I learned that the King was playing every Friday with his band and when I heard his songs for the first time I immediately fell in love with his music,” Hucky recalled. “His music is as soft and sweet as the King himself. His Majesty is a jazz musician and he mixes this music with a traditional soft feeling. I asked the King if I could record his music and after just two days I received permission so thousands of people in foreign countries could enjoy the tunes of His Majesty.”
The music continued the following day when Hucky held a mini concert at the Pattaya Orphanage where conducted a demonstration lecture which made it possible for many children to receive insight into the music of a classical guitarist.
Gen. Kanit Permsub, deputy chief aide-de-camp General to HM the King addresses the audience at the opening ceremony.
He introduced the different ways of playing a guitar and, at the end, played a few songs. Among them was a composition by HM King Bhumibol he once played with His Majesty.
The children were fascinated by the different sounds Eichelmann could play on the guitar, making it unlikely they will forget the appearance soon.
Peter Malhotra, MD of Pattaya Mail Media Group, speaks about the purpose of the charity event.
Hucky moved to Thailand in 1979 where his recordings of the music of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej have made the classical guitar popular. He rearranged the songs so they could be played on classical guitar. His 10 albums are among the best-selling classical guitar records ever.
He considers his repertoire very international, varying from Bach to disco, and includes many Asian compositions. Hucky, sometimes called the “Musical Ambassador between East and West”, explained that he regards his music as being a great way to promote peace and create a meaningful way of life.
The organisers wish to thank the following sponsors for their wholehearted support without which we could not have made the charity event a roaring success: Pattaya Self Storage, Pinnacle Hotels, Resorts & Spas, Tulip Group, Weihanstephan Bier, Riviera Wongamat Beach, Royal Coffee, Jomtien Boathouse, Captain’s Corner, Capital TV, Diana Group, Youth Leadership Development Foundation (YLDF), Flow Inter Co., Ltd., Collier’s International, including many individual sponsors with private contributions.
(L to R) Kanate, Khunying Busyarat, Gen. Kanit Permsub, Peter Malhotra and Brendan Daly, GM of the Amari Orchid Pattaya, our co-organisers.
Tony Malhotra, President of Skål International Pattaya & East Thailand, our co-organiser, with Rachada Chomjinda, director of Human Help Network Foundation Thailand and Samphan Akrapongpanich.
Jan Olav Aamlid (2nd right), MD of Pattaya Self Storage, the main sponsor of the charity concert together with his family and friends.
Khunying Busyarat Permsub presents Hucky with a bouquet congratulating him for a most outstanding performance.
Vicky and Marlowe Malhotra pose with Hucky after getting their personalised CD.
Hucky signs CDs on sale after the concert.
Hucky congratulates Eddy Kukarja, the audio engineer for a job well done.
Hucky held a workshop at the Pattaya Orphanage touching the hearts of the children not only with his music but also with his love and care for them.
Nearly 300 guests attended the Hucky Eichelmann Charity Concert helping to raise funds for the benefit of the underprivileged.
