This week, my chosen song is Lao Chao Su, composed by David Fanshawe for his 1999 album, Music from Thailand and Laos, and performed by the Sep Nyai Court Orchestra. Usually accompanied by a vocalist, Lao Chao Su is a composition set to sing the praises of Laos and convey a sense of pride among the nation’s citizens. Furthermore, the piece was composed to call foreign listeners to the beautiful land full of rich and enchanting culture. When listening to the piece, a listener will hear various Chinese-originating instruments that produce the melody through the guzheng (zither) and erhu (two-stringed fiddle), as well as form steady percussion from gongs, cymbals, and drums. The song’s upbeat tempo and bright timbre convey a sense of lighthearted fun and peace, allowing the composer to employ the intent behind the piece effortlessly.

Lao Chao Su is my song share pick for the week because it is a composition I have listened to since I was a small child. In my family, we have very close friends, practically family, who are from the capital city of Laos, Vientiane. While growing up near this family, I was introduced to many unique aspects of Laos culture, including music, which led to my finding of Lao Chao Su. Due to this exposure as a child, this song, like Na Tagi na Rarawa, holds a nostalgic place in my heart that led to me choosing this piece in order to learn more about its origins and musical characteristics for myself and my colleagues.