Pulling strings

Guitarist Hucky Eichelmann celebrates the 150th anniversary of Thai-German diplomatic relations with a tour that will see him playing at universities all over the country this month and next.

The German guitarist, who has been resident in Thailand for more than 30 years, will perform songs from “Guitar Favourites”, his latest album and his first all-Western music release, as well as pieces of music from Germany and Thailand.

He’ll bring students from each city onstage to add more colour to the concerts.

He’ll conduct workshops at each stop, focusing on a “musical guitar technique”, “sophisticated tone production” and “interpretation of music from various periods”.

The tour aims to draw young people into the world of music and show how the arts have the power to improve our daily lives.

Interested in music since childhood, Eichelmann graduated with a master’s degree in classical music while he was still in his 20s.

His dazzling guitar style has delighted audiences worldwide and earned him the role of musical ambassador between East and West.

His unique approach to music has led to collaborations with such artists as Ravi Shankar, Kitaro, Nina Corti and Carlos Bonell. He’s shared the festival stage with John Williams, David Russell, Jorge Morel, Paco Peña, the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, Juan Martin, Costas Cotsiolis and Kazuhito Yamashita. 

In 1984, he founded the Bangkok International Guitar Festival and Series, and in 1997, he pioneered Thailand’s first-ever international arts festival.

He has released many albums of Thai music on his music label, AMI Records.

In 2011, he accepted the position of artistic director of the annual Bangkok Guitar Fiesta and this year, he performed a concert in celebration of His Majesty the King’s 84th birthday at Bloomsbury Theatre in London, where he received a standing ovation.

 

Here’s hucky

_ Hucky’s tour starts at Suranaree University of Technology in Nakhon Ratchasima on August 15. Other dates are:

_ August 17, Maha Sarakham University

_ August 20, Khon Kaen University

_ August 22, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai

_ August 24, Payap University, Chiang Mai

_ August 27, Nakhon Sawan Rajabhat University

_ August 31, Hansa JB Hotel, Hat Yai

_ September 3, Thaksin University, Phatthalung