“TETRA STREAM” 

This piece was inspired by photographs I had taken during my travels across different regions of Thailand. The country is traditionally divided into four main regions: the North, the Central, the Northeast, and the South. For this work, I selected one photograph to represent each of these regions.

The composition draws upon the emotions and atmospheres I personally experienced while visiting each place. Rather than aiming to capture a universally shared impression of the regions, the music instead reflects my own feelings and interpretations of those moments. Listeners may not necessarily associate the piece with the exact character or ambiance of each region, but what I sought to express was an honest musical portrayal of my personal journey and emotional response.The following notes describe the composer’s reflections in more detail:

Northern Region ( Bar: 1 - 43, Mark: A - E )
The North is often associated with mountains, mist, and a gentle sense of serenity. My photograph captured a quiet landscape at dawn, where the cool air and stillness left a lasting impression. The music for this section reflects that atmosphere—calm, spacious, and colored with subtle textures, like a gentle breeze moving across the hills.

Central Region ( Bar: 44 - 96, Mark: E - K )
The Central region, with its bustling cities and fertile plains, gave me a very different feeling. The photograph I chose was taken in a lively town, full of energy and movement. The music here is more rhythmic and bright, echoing the sense of vitality and everyday life that defines this part of Thailand.

Northeastern Region (Isan) ( Bar: 96 - 144, Mark: K - Q )
In the Northeast, I was struck by the warmth and resilience of the people, as well as the wide-open landscapes. My photograph showed a rustic, sunlit field that seemed endless. The music carries a rustic, earthy quality, with melodies that are both grounded and spirited, echoing the character of the region’s culture and traditions.

Southern Region ( Bar: 145 - 210, Mark: Q - End )
The South, with its coastlines and tropical atmosphere, left me with feelings of openness and freedom. The photograph I selected showed the sea stretching far into the horizon. Musically, this part is flowing and expansive, with a sense of motion that mirrors the ocean waves and the natural beauty of the region. I also recall an experience at a small bar in the South, where soft jazz was playing in the background alongside the gentle sound of waves breaking on the shore. The combination created a sense of comfort and a mood I deeply enjoyed, which I decided to weave into the music as well.

TETRA STRAM “Four Picture Regions of Thailand” 2025 (for Wind Ensemble)

"The Starry Night" 

This piece was inspired by the iconic painting The Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh, created in 1889. Van Gogh painted it while he was staying at the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum, shortly after the incident in which he cut off his left ear. 

It’s believed that the painting captures the view from the window of his room at the asylum. In fact, during his time there, he created a total of 21 paintings—each depicting different moments, different weathers, both day and night. 

The Starry Night was painted with oil on canvas. The colors were applied straight from the tube and spread directly onto the canvas, creating a dreamy, almost surreal effect. If you look closely at the sky, you can feel the swirling, restless energy—it’s as if the stars are in constant motion, on the verge of explosion. In contrast, the village below appears peaceful and serene.

On the left side of the painting, a large tree stretches upward, bridging the sky and the earth. This is a cypress tree, often associated with cemeteries and mourning—an element open to many interpretations.

At that time, Van Gogh’s mental state was extremely fragile—chaotic, confused, and turbulent. I wanted to express this emotional complexity in a musical form, as I understood it.

That’s why I composed this piece with intentional dissonance—layers of rhythm flowing over and against each other, creating a kind of beautiful disorder, much like the painting itself. I chose a percussion ensemble as the medium because percussion is uniquely capable of conveying complex, conflicting rhythms while still retaining beauty and harmony.

The Starry Night for Concert Percussion Ensemble 2025

March No.1 "Festival March" for Wind Ensemble 2024

Perapong Viriya (b.2001) is a Thai composer, conductor, and saxophonist. His works have been recognized in Thai Composer of Our Century and performed by prominent ensembles including the Million Wind Philharmonic, Hamonious Musikavier, Suranaree Girls School Bands, Nontri Orchestra Wind, and the Mahidol University Tuba Euphonium Studio. His music has also been featured internationally, reflecting his growing presence on the global stage.
Inspired by diverse traditions—ranging from Classical and Romantic music to late 20th-century styles, Jazz, and Blues—Perapong is particularly known for blending contemporary techniques with traditional Thai elements. This fusion creates a distinctive voice that bridges cultures and resonates with audiences across different backgrounds.
Much of his work is shaped by personal experiences and travels. He often draws on stories, places, and emotions from his own life, weaving them into musical narratives that invite performers and listeners to share in his perspective. For Perapong, music is both an art form and a way of expressing identity: a means for others to truly know him through sound.
He began playing music at the age of ten and soon discovered his passion for composition, especially in the setting of wind ensembles, orchestras, and concert bands. Currently, he is pursuing his Bachelor’s degree in music at the College of Music, Bansomdejchaopraya Rajabhat University, where he continues to refine his craft as a composer, conductor, and saxophonist.

Perapong Viriya | Composer

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