Chen Sopheak

Chen Sopheak was born in Kampot in 1991 into a poor family of five children. At five years old, he discovered his passion for music, assisting on weddings and starting to memorize the traditional repertoire. But at eighth, he had to go with one of his brothers to the Kien Kleang public orphanage in Phnom Penh because his family was too poor. In this institution, he met Master Phol who taught him piano and percussion for three months before passing away. Then another musician, Master Meas Sambo taught pin peat music. Sopheak also learns how to play drum set and reaches an excellent level despite the bad quality of his instrument. 

In 2011, he met the ethno-archaeomusicologist Patrick Kersalé installed in Phnom Penh in order to reconstruct the musical instruments of the ancient Khmer people. Sopheak then leaves the orphanage a few hours a day to study the harp art at the Patrick Kersalé home. In 2012, thanks to Patrick too, he left Phnom Penh to live with a family of traditional musicians of Siem Reap, Master Man Men’s family who agrees to host and support him. Thanks to them. Sopheak perfects his music practice, learns new repertoire and teaches the harp to family members. Upon arrival in Siem Reap, Sopheak knows an enough wide repertoire of music to sign a contract with the Amansara Hotel in Siem Reap where he played two times a week.

In three years, this talented and self-educated musician became the best harpist in Cambodia.

But Sopheak Chen is not only a harpist. He his one of the best musicians of the new generation in Cambodia. He his an awesome drummer too, playing also the difficult kse diev monochord zither and the gong chimes of the rare funerary ensemble kantoam ming.

In 2012, Patrick Kersalé and Cambodian Living Arts combine to create the Sounds of Angkor troupe specializing in orchestral playing of ancient Khmer instruments. Sopheak became the spearhead for the harp and percussion. He has performed with that troupe at the 37th UNESCO International Session held in Phnom Penh and accompanies the arrival of His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni at Angkor Wat.

Sopheak also like to draw and paint.

On this picture, we can see Chen Sopheak in 2015 playing a harp by Keo Sonan Kavei and Krang Sela. It was lacquered with natural lacquer from Cambodia and gilded by Eric Stocker. (Patrick Kersalé's collection).