Abstract:

"Music holds an important place in Laotian life. Isolated from the rest of the world in the mountains of the interior of Indochina, and with only a small population, Laos has nevertheless played an important role in the history of music. According to some Chinese writers, it was in this region that two remarkable instruments were created: the gong and the khéne or mouth-organ. It is also the country where the ancient art music of the Khmers has been best preserved -- as well as diverse forms of folk music related to the oldest types of Indian music, music that has largely disappeared in India itself. Each village has its instrumental performers and its singers, and the orchestra plays an important role in court ceremonies and festivals." --Alain Daniélou, from his liner notes Thao Phet from Radio Vientiane, khène (Nos. 1, 4, 8) / Classical orchestra (pi-phat) of the Vientiane School of Music (Nos. 2, 11) / Musicians of the Vientiane School of Music (No. 3) / Miss Lam Sé, voice (No. 4) / Thao Vong and Thao Som of the village of Sikhay, near Vientiane, khène (Nos. 5-7) / Thong Linh (voice) of Radio Vientiane (No. 8) / Miss Sai thong, voice (No. 9) / Palace Orchestra at Luang Prabhang (No. 10)