black may (2023) – JAMES LEELAYUVAT

black_may (2023)
(World premiere)
Composed by James Leelayuvat

Performed by:
Sara Andon, flute
Brian Walsh, clarinet/bass clarinet
Maggie Parkins, cello
Siobhan Dougall, electronics

Program Notes:
JAMES LEELAYUVAT: black_may
black_may, a piece for ensemble
and fixed media, is written in
acknowledgement of the Black May
protests in Bangkok in 1992 which
resulted in dozens of deaths as the
military fired upon the crowd. The
piece is, for me, a statement on
multiple levels. Musically, I try to push
the boundaries of my sonic explorations.
The piece is divided into five
sections, each of which represents
a specific part of the protests or
the city with a distinct soundscape.
The sections explore the interplay
between electronics and instrument al
textures inspired by composers like
Lachenmann and Saunders. I use
new instruments, audio processes,
compositional methods, and open
myself up to more possibilities.
I have also written the piece as a
denunciation of military involvement
in politics. This is in the light of the
2023 prime minister elections, where
I have been brought to think more
about Thailand’s history of military
and politics. Every day, I become
increasingly uncertain of the country’s
future trajectories, although remaining
hopeful that we can break this
vicious cycle of power hunger. On
a personal level, this composition represents my goodbye to Thailand
as I continue higher education in
the States. Within the music, I have
incorporated many recorded sounds
from streets, temples, and schools of
Bangkok, many of which I have come
to associate with home. They represent
snapshots of Bangkok and the
land I have come to take for granted
until I found myself halfway around
the world.

Composer Bio:
JAMES LEELAYUVAT
Hi, I’m James. I’m a Thai American
composer and flautist, born 2005.
I started my exploration into music
as a flautist in my high-school band.
After several years of playing, I began
to study composition independently.
My compositional interests have
slowly shifted over time through
different musical techniques and
styles. My current interests and focus
lie in the usage of timbre as a main
element in story telling, similar to
the likes of Helmut Lachenmann or
Dai Fujikura. I combine this with the
use of electronics to explore the
limitless possibilities of fixed, live,
and interactive sounds. Additionally,
I have been interested in music as a
vehicle for social change and political
statements like De Staat. I am
currently a freshman at Occidental
College hovering between studies
of computer science, sociology, and
music.