On June 1 and 2, 2012, Taiwanese-Swiss cellist Pi-Chin Chien premiered Sirimadi with the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra (TPO), conducted by Claude Villaret, in Bangkok. The symphonically conceived, nearly 30-minute concert piece for cello and orchestra was specially composed to celebrate the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Switzerland. The work draws on the Western classical tradition while incorporating musical and thematic elements rooted in Thai culture.

Comp...