Pattaya Mail organizes charity concert in celebration of 20 years of service to the community
Elfi Seitz
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.”
Gen. Kanit Permsub, deputy chief
aide-de-camp General to HM the King addresses the audience at the opening
ceremony.
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.
“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.
Peter Malhotra, MD of Pattaya Mail
Media Group, speaks about the purpose of the charity event.
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.
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.
Hucky captivated the audience with
his musical ingenuity and charisma.
Khunying Busyarat Permsub presents
Hucky with a bouquet congratulating him for a most outstanding performance.
Hucky signs CDs on sale after the
concert.
Vicky and Marlowe Malhotra pose with
Hucky after getting their personalised CD.
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.
