The Kingdom of Cambodia (formerly known as Kampuchea) is bordered by Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. In the south, the coast faces the Gulf of Thailand but the geography of the country is dominated by the Mekong River. The main language of the country is Khmer and the main religion is Buddhism. The country has a land area of 181,035 sq km (69,898 sq miles). Its main exports are clothing, fish products and rubber. Politically, the country could be described as a multiparty liberal democracy under monarchy.
Nokoreach ("Royal Kingdom") is the national anthem of Cambodia. The music was adapted by F. Perruchot and J. Jekyll from an old Cambodian folk tune. It was originally adopted in 1941 and reconfirmed in 1947, around the time of independence from France. In 1970, the monarchy was abolished, thereby replacing the anthem as well. After the communist victory in 1975, former royalist symbols, including "Nokoreach", were reinstated for a time. The Khmer Rouge then replaced it with "Glorious Seventeenth of April. After the royalist party FUNCINPEC defeated the former communists (Cambodian People's Party) in the 1993 elections, the royalist anthem was restored. The title of the anthem is derived from the name of an ancient Khmer kingdom. The words were written by Samdech Sangha Raja Chuon Nath (1883-1969), who was the Supreme Patriarch Kana Mahanikaya of Cambodia.
Photo: The unmistakable towers of Angkor Wat - a massive temple complex in Angkor, Cambodia. It was built for King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. The temple is the epitome of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. It has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag and it is the country's prime attraction for visitors. The modern name, Angkor Wat, in use by the 16th century means "City Temple". Photo: Garion88
CLICK TO HEAR THIS ANTHEM (MP3: 752k).
Click on the buttons below to either preview the first page of the score (in a low resolution jpg file), or to download the entire document. Use the underlined links to download the instrumental parts you want in Adobe Acrobat. I strongly recommend you have Adobe Reader on your computer before you download the music, because this
will allow the printed music to open automatically as it downloads. Don't be disappointed in the Adobe screen image, for it is low resolution for checking only. You can make high-quality prints uCambodia your
right mouse button or the usual "Control+P" command. The music has been digitally scanned at 1200 dpi for professional results but the actual output will depend on your own printer settings. Always consult local expertise before performing an anthem in an unfamiliar country! You might like to read about some of the instrumentation possibilites by clicking here.
Instrumental Possiblities
for Non-standard Ensembles
These arrangements have been
written so that they can be played by virtually any combination of wind
instruments. They will also work with saxophone ensemble, massed brasses or even a Dixieland Band
(in the unlikely event that it is expected to play a national anthem).
In theory, the arrangements could be also played by strings (which is why one part is
available in the alto clef) but because the arrangements tend to use flat keys
they will be limited to more experienced string players. The table below shows the instrumental possibilites for each part. You may find this helpful if you
prefer to "do your own thing" with the instrumental voicing
to get an individual sound. You can just pick and mix from the selection below.
If all this appears a bit daunting, you can always go back to the lists above
and try adapting the instrumentations I have suggested. Click on the underlined links to see or download the parts.
PART 1: MELODY LINE
Part 1 in C: In the treble clef but written in octaves, to extend the possible uses.
Suitable for: flutes, piccolos, oboes, glockenspiels or other C-melody instruments such as violins
Part 1 in B flat: One tone higher than concert pitch. Suitable for: clarinets, trumpets, cornets, flugelhorns.
Part 1 in E flat:
Major sixth above concert pitch. Suitable for: alto saxophone, Eb clarinet
Part 1a in E flat:
Minor third lower than concert pitch. Suitable for: solo Eb cornet.
PART 2: ALTO LINE
Part 2 in C: Same as Part 2 in C but written in octaves.
Suitable for: flutes, oboes, or other C-melody instruments
such as violins.
Part 2 in B flat: This part is written one tone higher than concert pitch. Suitable for: trumpets, cornets, clarinets or Bb soprano
saxophones.
Part 2 in E flat: Major sixth above concert pitch. Suitable for: Eb alto saxophone, Eb clarinet
PART 3: TENOR LINE (a)
Part 3 in C: At concert pitch in the bass clef. It is intended for trombone in stage
band use, normally a little high for concert band or symphonic band. Suitable for: trombones.
Part 3 in F: One fifth higher that concert. Suitable for: French horns.
Part 3 in E flat: One sixth higher than concert. Suitable for: Eb tenor horns or alto saxophones.
Part 3 in B flat: One ninth above concert. Suitable for: Bb tenor saxophones, Bb baritones.
Part 3a in B flat: One tone above concert. Intended for 3rd Bb clarinets
in symphonic or marching bands but could be used by other Bb instruments.
Part 3 in C (alto): At concert pitch in the alto clef. May be useful when arrangements played by strings.
PART 4: TENOR LINE (b)
Part 4 in C: At concert pitch in the bass clef. Suitable for: trombones, bassoons.
Part 4 in F: One fifth higher that concert. Suitable for: French horns
Part 4 in E flat: One sixth higher than concert. Suitable for: Eb tenor horns or alto saxophones.
Part 4 in B flat: One ninth above concert. Suitable for: Bb tenor saxophones, Bb baritones, euphoniums.
PART 5: BARITONE LINE
Part 5 in C: At concert pitch in the bass clef. Suitable for: trombones, bassoons.
Part 5 in B flat: One ninth above concert. Suitable for: Bb tenor saxophones, Bb baritones, euphoniums.
PART 6: BASS LINE
Part 6 in C: At concert pitch in the bass clef in octaves. Suitable for: bass trombones, contrabassoon, tubas
Part 6 in E flat: Octave and sixth higher than concert in treble clef. Suitable for: Eb basses, Eb baritone saxophone.
Part 6 in B flat:
One ninth higher than concert in treble clef. Suitable for: Bb basses, Bb contrabass clarinet.
Each anthem is supplied with a percussion part that requires three players:
snare drum, bass drum and cymbals. In all the arrangements, the timpani part is limited to three drums and generally percussion
has been scored somewhat lightly. Of course, if you
are playing as a string ensemble or brass ensemble, the percussion woud be omitted altogether.
This is a piano reduction of the full score and is intended
to be used when the ensemble contains a piano, or when there are gaps in the ensemble. With the piano reduction, you can play
this anthem as an instrumental solo,
duet or trio. Anything!
Finally, the list above is intended to show the wide range of possibilities.
If you have a non-standard ensemble, you may need to experiment a little with the
voicings to get the sound you want. Remember that Part 5 is not essential so if you miss it out entirely, there will be no problem.
Did you find this page useful? Did the arrangement meet your needs? I am always pleased to receive feedback, comments or suggestions. Feel free to contact me by clicking here.