A Concert of Central Javanese

Music and Dance

The Melbourne Community Gamelan

Poedijono, musical director

12 September 1998

University of Melbourne Art Centre

Lancaran YARRA, laras slendro pathet manyura

The concert opens with a composition by Poedijono which reflects his interpretation of Melbourne’s Yarra River. Although a ‘new creation’, this piece is in a traditional form called lancaran, which is usually played with a lively feeling.

Ladrang WILUJENG, laras slendro pathet manyura

Wilujeng means ‘safe, secure’ and reflects the feeling we hope will be engendered by this afternoon’s performance. The form ladrang is longer that of the previous piece and this is reflected in the greater length of time between strikes of the large gong.  The contrast in timbre between the bowed rebab and the percussion of the other instruments is important to the aesthetic appeal of the quieter playing style.

BEKSAN GAMBYONG

accompaniment: Sampak - Ladrang Pangkur, slendro pathet manyura

This dance traditionally performed by women in the villages was later adopted and refined by the royal Javanese courts. Some movements are stylisations of everyday actions while others are more abstract. Dancer: NANING FORSYTH

Gendhing GAMBIR SAWIT, minggah Ladrang SRI KARONGRON, kelajengakan Ketawang KASATRIYAN, terus AYAK-AYAKAN, laras slendro pathet sanga

This suite of pieces is an example of klenengan or listen music and illustrates a variety of forms and playing styles. It begins with the slow and stately Gambir Sawit. This is followed by Sri Karongron which is  played first at a quick tempo and then slows dramatically, but because of the elaborate drumming and interlocking patterns of other instruments, retains a lively feel. Kasatriyan is a shorter, yet slower and more relaxed piece. Ayak-ayakan, with its more complex gong pattern, concludes the suite.

INTERVAL

BEKSAN GATHUTKACA GANDRUNG

accompaniment: Sampak - lancaran Bendrong, laras slendro pathet manyura

Gathutkaca is a knight and son of Bima, one of the five Pandawa bothers in the epic Mahabarata. In this dance Gathutkaca is in love (gandrung): after entering with the strong Sampak, he stops to sing of his beloved. As the gamelan plays Bendrong he then prepares himself to meet her. Dancer: POEDIJONO

GANGSARAN - RONING TAWANG, laras slendro pathet manyura

While most of this afternoon’s performance is in the style of Surakarta, one of the two major centres of Javanese court tradition, Roning Tawang is played in a strong and dynamic style common to the tradition of Yogyakarta.

Ladrang SREPEGAN, laras slendro pathet manyura

Another of Poedijono’s compositions, this piece combines characteristics of the ladrang form with those of the srepegan form. The shift is felt in the denser pattern of the time keeping instruments leading up to the sounding of the large gong at the end of each cycle. The middle section incorporates the elaborate drumming and interlocking heard in Sri Karongron together with keplok (clapping) and alok (vocal calls).

Bubaran UDAN MAS, laras slendro pathet manyura

This piece marks the end of the performance. Upon hearing the introduction a Javanese audience would immediately depart, however you are very welcome to stay to the end if you like!

Gamelan

Gamelan music is among the most well know of the hundreds of traditional performing art forms found among the cultures that make up the Republic of Indonesia. The term gamelan refers to the entire set of instruments as well as to the music played on them or the group who plays them. The most popular form of gamelan in Central Java today is that associated with the refined cultural traditions of the royal courts. Part of the blending of traditions that is the hallmark of modern Javanese culture, gamelan music can be heard at Islamic events such as the celebration of the Prophet Mohammad’s birthday, in the all night wayang kulit shadow theatre which recounts episodes from epic Hindu legends, and as accompaniment to a variety of classical and popular dance forms. Gamelan is important in both formal ceremonies and popular entertainment and performances of gamelan are an integral part of many auspicious occasions.

The Melbourne Community Gamelan

The Musicians

University of Melbourne Art Centre