Kraft: Encounters XI
The Demise of Suriyodhaya
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- Composer: William Kraft (1923-)
- Format: Set of Performance Scores
- Instrumentation: English Horn, Percussion
- Work: Encounters XI (The Demise of Suriyodhaya)
- UPC:
- Pages: 20
Description
"The Demise of Suriyodhaya" is the title a poem by B. Kasemsri commemorating the heroism and death of Queen Suriyothai (Suriyodhaya in the poem) of which the last stanza is quoted above. The poem tells of the battle between Thailand (then called Ayudhya prior to Siam) led by King Phra Mahchakkraphat (or Chakraphat, 1548 - 69) and the invading Burmese led by the Prince of Pegu with an overwhelming force of over 300,000 men and 700 war elephants. Sensing the threat against her husband and, in the event of his death leaving Ayudhya without a King, Suriyodhaya disguised herself as a man, mounted a war elephant and entered the fray. As the Prince of Pegu was poised to strike a mortal blow to the King, Suriyodhaya interposed and took the blow herself.
