Introduction to the Social and Cultural Study of Music Javanese Gamelan Week 3
Javanese Gamelan “The 13 March, our general himself with many of his gentlemen and others, went to shore, and presented the king (of whom he was joyfully and lovingly received) with his music, and showed him the manner of our use of arms, by training his men with their pikes and other weapons which they had, before him. One day amongst the rest, viz., March 21, Raja Donan coming aboard us, in requital of our music which was made to him, presented our general with his country music, which though it were of a very strange kind, yet the sound was pleasant and delightful..” (Francis Drake, Raja Donan of Java, 1580) Debussy (1889 Paris Exposition; Pagodes) to Messaien (Turangalila) Britten (Prince of the Pagodas) Cage, Cowell, Reich Lou Harrison Double Concerto for Violin, Cello and Gamelan Why of such enduring interest in the west?
Javanese Gamelan Java Hindu-Buddhist Majapahit kingdom (11-15th century)- Muslim Mataram kingdom (17th century) - Dutch colonial rule independence 1945 Court (kraton)/wayang kulit/conservatory system Vocalists (pesindhen) Many regional and popular varieties and hybrids (e.g. kroncong) Bali Flight of Majapahit kings in c Hindu ritual context Dutch in Bali early in 20th century Dismantling of courts, distribution of gamelan culture to villages Gong Kebyar No vocalists (dance) Gender Wayang, and a variety of regional, popular and devotional forms
Javanese Gamelan Pictures from Neil Sorrell, A Guide to the Gamelan, London: Faber 2000 Recording from Ben Brinner, Music in Central Java, Oxford: Oxford University Press, Sléndro (12356) Pélog ( )
Javanese gamelan: karawitan Balungan (‘skeleton’) Slethen and saron (‘wilah’ instruments)
Javanese gamelan: karawitan Phrase marking, or ‘colotomic’ instruments (‘pencon’ instruments) gong, kempul kenong
Javanese gamelan: karawitan elaborating (garap)
Javanese gamelan: karawitan Leading the ensemble Rebab (aspects of mode, or ‘pathet’) Kendhang (aspects of large-scale rhythmic organization, or ‘irama’)
Javanese gamelan: karawitan
Javanese gamelan: karawitan Pura Paku Alaman, Jogyakarta, dir. Wasitodipuro, recorded by Robert Brown 1971