Description
The Defeat of Mara (2017) for Orchestra
This piece was the first version before it was arranged into Wind Symphony a year later.
The 2nd Version for Wind Symphony commissioned and conducted by Dr.Thanapol Setabrahmana.
Program Note
This music inspired by “The Defeat of Mara”, painting of Thawan Duchanee, which based on Buddhist philosophies. In the past, it was the mural painting in the temple hall. The mural painting depicts an episode of Lord Buddha’s life story when he defeats Mara with his virtues. The frightening sound of 3 trumpets opens the characteristic of the piece, which is developed they’re canonized into the tremolo and flatter tongue in other instruments. For instance, on the Xylophone, in Thai, we have this kind of instrument called “Ranad.” Mara means “a person who makes others fall under his power,” which in the story is “Wasawattee.” This Mara has his mighty elephant called “Girimekhala” (which I have composed for Wind Orchestra). There is only one calm and solemn section that creates the atmosphere of the moment of Lord Buddha while meditating, which I used some Thai sound in the woodwind and strings part. -Morakot Cherdchoo-ngarm
Based on Buddhist philosophies, “The Defeat of Mara”, a contemporary Thai painting of Thawan Duchanee is created to reflect the profoundness and strength of the artist himself. Lord Buddha’s face painted in the middle of the canvas on the red background. The face is exquisite and peaceful. Lord Buddha smiles softly. His eyes look down. The gold leaves adorned all over the painting make it glittering and eye-catching. OverLord Buddha’s head located a white tiger whose eyes are large and frightening. Lord Buddha is surrounded by weird forms of objects and beings. All are painted in black color. All beings are created to have sharp claws. However, the white color and glittering gold color in some parts of the painting help soften the tone. On Lord Buddha’s left side appeared Mara in the form of mascle tiger standing up like a man. The tiger has a pair of wings and four sharp claws of a carnivore as its weapon, together with its instinct to survive. On its two heads appeared long sharp fangs. Its left foot is on a creature whose body seems to be of a leopard and the head of a serpent. On Lord Buddha’s right side appeared Mara in the form of a two-headed giant bird with sharp claws. The muscle body and its gesture make the bird as frightening as Mara on the other side. Beneath Lord Buddha appeared a serpent looking like an anaconda of the Amazon river. Every Mara turns to and aims at the center of the painting. The Composition of the painting is similar to the ancient Thai mural painting of defeating Mara.
from Article by Suriya Namwong Translated by Jittree Yapao
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