A Journey in Two Strings: Classical Magic at the InterContinental
This was the third classical concert I’d attended at the InterContinental Pattaya Resort, and once again, it was an absolute treat. As part of their enchanting “Beyond Borders: A Journey in Two Strings” series, the very talented violinist Anna Takeda returned to the stage, this time joined by the brilliant cellist Adam Satinsky. Using one of the hotel’s elegant function rooms to host these intimate recitals proved to be a great idea once more. The sound quality was simply outstanding, allowing everyone in the room to easily catch every single note, tone, and delicate dynamic played by the artists without missing a beat.
It is always fascinating to see the dedication behind such polished performances, and knowing a bit about the musicians makes it even more special. Anna Takeda is a celebrated Thai-Japanese violinist whose own musical story began right here in Thailand when she was just five years old. Her dedication deepened immensely at age seven following a transformative music camp experience in Salzburg, Austria, and Budapest, Hungary, shaping a career praised for its crystal-clear tone, immaculate virtuosity, and deep emotional resonance.
Alongside her, Adam Satinsky brings an extraordinary level of artistry to the cello, diving wholeheartedly into intricate chamber repertoire. In fact, after the concert, I spotted what looked like a little bandage on Adam’s bowing hand and couldn’t help asking if he was injured. He reassured me with a smile that he was completely fine, showing me an ingenious little support device he had crafted himself. He explained that without it, playing the cello for long stretches caused discomfort and fatigue because of the intense bowing pressure required.
The concert itself took us on a musical journey that spanned continents and centuries. We started with the passionate, sultry rhythms of the famous Tango from Argentina, a genre born in the working-class ports of Buenos Aires. From there, we traveled across the globe to Russia and the whimsical ballet music of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker, originally composed in the late 19th century and beloved worldwide for its enchanting, fairytale-like orchestration.
Along the way, we even made a detour to New Orleans for some lively, syncopated swinging jazz, a uniquely American art form rooted in improvisation and rhythm before dropping in on the dramatic world of international film. One of the absolute emotional high points of the evening was the performance of the theme from Schindler’s List, performed with great sensitivity and feeling by the duo, capturing the hauntingly beautiful film score composed by John Williams.
Another memorable highlight was the vibrant medley from Bizet’s Carmen, a masterpiece of French opera filled with fiery, Spanish-influenced melodies like the Habanera that practically everyone recognizes and loves. With such a well-curated program, there truly was something for everyone. The InterContinental has genuinely established itself as a wonderful patron for the arts right here in Pratumnak, filling a cultural gap that I’ve waited years to see met locally. I strongly encourage anyone looking for a memorable evening to come along and support the next concert, hopefully coming up this January. It is offered at a very reasonable price for the exceptional quality of the experience.
To top off such a wonderful evening, our group decided to head next door to experience the InterContinental’s “Symphony of Elements” buffet at its Elements Restaurant. The entire concept is built around harmoniously bringing together earth, water, air, and fire, which really shines through in the layout and live cooking stations. We kicked things off in true indulgent style with some excellent, ice-cold oysters and a stunning spread of fresh seafood on ice representing the water element, before sampling everything else that caught our eye.
The fire and carving stations were incredible, offering slow-roasted Australian prime rib, fragrant Thai-style marinated pork neck, and lamb ribs grilled to absolute perfection, alongside a versatile pasta station. We wrapped up our feast by trying some of the dessert choices on offer. I tried the freshly prepared Crêpes Suzette which were completely delicious! To add to the magic, a resident musical duo played a great selection of some more modern hit songs making it the ultimate way to wind down after an unforgettable evening of classical music.
437 Moo 12, Phra Tamnak Road, Nongprue, Banglamung, Chonburi 20150 Phone: +66 (0) 38-259-888 Toll Free: 001-800-657-888 Email: [email protected] pattaya.intercontinental.com
