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Dave Soldier, Elephants, Elizabeth Fais, Jami Sieber, Lampang, Music, mystical power of music, National Elephant Institute, Richard Lair, Riddle's Elephant and Wildlife Sanctuary, Thai Elephant Orchestra, Thailand
No, this is not a joke. There is actually an orchestra in Northern Thailand near Lampang that is made up of sixteen Asian elephants who have three music CDs under their trunks. Their first CD is predominantly improvisations, but on the second CD they play Beethoven and Hank Williams.
Of course, the elephants had a little help in the production department. Elephant conservationist Richard Lair and of the National Elephant Institute (formerly the Thai Elephant Conservation Center) and the American musical artist and neuroscientist Dave Soldier built their instruments and worked with them through every note. You can watch a documentary here.
I wasn’t surprised when I first heard about the Thai Elephant Orchestra. After all, I’d attended a full-contact elephant handling school at Riddle’s Elephant and Wildlife Sanctuary in Arkansas, where I learned first-hand just how scary-smart elephants can be. But I certainly was intrigued that these elephants enjoyed playing music. Their performances were more than animals trained to do tricks. Watch the following video clip and see for yourself.
Thai Elephant Orchestra Takes the Stage
My direct experience working with elephants (though brief) proved to me that elephants are as aware as we are. Combine that with an intelligence equal to that of a five year-old human child, and you can begin to comprehend the depth of feeling and the extent of their creative potential.
I am not embarrassed to admit that I was amazed (and delighted) by the moving account of world-renowned cellist, Jami Sieber, playing music with the Thai Elephant Orchestra. A while back I wrote a post on the mystical power of music. The following video proves that music is a universal language. It spans species, as well as the entire human race.
Elizabeth Fais 
I suspect it was easier to get the elephants to practice Beethoven than it was to get my 13-year-old to do it…
😉
I don’t doubt you are right. Elephants respond to treats, like apples and watermelon. Teenagers drive a much tougher bargain. 😉
Amazing video.
Both videos are wonderful, but I actually cried when the elephant began dancing when the cellist, Jami Sieber, began to play (in the 2nd video). Elephants are such amazing creatures!
We live in an amazing world. Thanks for sharing this Elizabeth.
Indeed we do, and the animals we share this world with make life so much richer. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Simply amazing. 🙂
Aren’t they? You know, the Portland Zoo has a terrific elephant management program. I met a couple of the people who work with the elephants in that program when I attended elephant handling school at Riddle’s Elephant Sanctuary in Arkansas.
I’ve ridden elephants in Thailand. Smart creatures – I swear they are self-aware, like we are. Didn’t know they were musical! Tres cool.
They are indeed self-aware. Very intelligent too. I was surprised by their *creative* inclinations too, though I guess I shouldn’t have been. 😉
Reblogged this on USA Zorro Press.
Thank you! And the elephants thank you too! 🙂