Varis Sirisook - Chamber Metal (2024) for Oboe, Bassoon and String Quartet

IntAct 2024: Machine Labor Rock
International Composition Institute of Thailand (ICIT) 2024
19th - 22nd DEC 2024 at Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC)

Varis Sirisook
Varis Sirisook began violin and piano at the age of 3. He joined Shrewsbury International School Bangkok in 2008 and was a music scholar from 2015 until his graduation in 2020. He earned a BA in Music with First Class Honours in 2023 from Durham University, where he was taught by Dr James Weeks, Dr Eric Egan and Professor Julian Horton. Recently, he graduated from the University of Oxford with a Master of Studies in Music (Composition), studying under Professor Martyn Harry and Professor Jennifer Walshe. He has also studied with Professor Narongrit Dhamabutra, Dr Piyawat Louilarpprasert and Dr Narong Prangcharoen.

Sirisook conducted the 2018 premiere of his composition ‘All the World’s a Stage’. At Durham, the Durham University Classical Ensemble commissioned ‘An Orient Overture’ and he won the Durham University Brass Band Composition Competition with ‘Zinc & Copper Jubilee’, premiered by the Tredegar Town Band. At Oxford, the Oxford Millennium Orchestra commissioned ‘Spring Migrations’, accompanying a poem by Dr Katrina Siddiqi-Davies. Sirisook’s compositions were also performed by Ensemble ISIS and the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra.

Chamber Metal (2024) for Oboe, Bassoon and String Quartet
This piece encapsulates the aesthetics of heavy metal within an acoustic chamber ensemble. Noise forms the basis of raw power in hard rock and metal genres, achieved here via multiphonics in the woodwinds and scratch tones in the strings. This mimics the effects of electric guitar distortions and drum fills. The structure of the piece mimics a manual gear shift in a car. Also featured are virtuosic ‘guitar’ solos by the woodwinds, another feature of heavy metal soloing.

Princess Galyani Vadhana Institute of Music Youth Orchestra (PYO)
Patnaree Chulasakcharoen - Oboe
Jirawat Chainan - Bassoon
Pluempiti Chotikulo - Violin
Thanyatorn Tanaboriboon - Violin
Napat Ruankaew - Viola
Fasai Buranasiri - Cello
Boon Hua Lien - Conductor

Video recording and editing:
Chatchai Tatong
Chupong Sutarot
Worakon Phuaphan
Tuchawong Sirisawat

Sound recording:
SB SOUNDSYSTEM & G.MEDIA

Sound mixing:
Khwanpol Muangmud