Gamelan Of Central Java / Viii: Court Music Treasures
Album: Viii: Court Music Treasures   Collection:World
Artist:Gamelan Of Central Java   Added:Apr 2007
Label:Felmay  

A-File Activity
Add Date: 2008-03-16 Pull Date: 2008-05-18 Charts: Reggae/World
Week Ending: Apr 13 Mar 23
Airplays: 2 1

Recent Airplay
1. Aug 14, 2010: Music Casserole
Carabalen
3. Mar 18, 2008: The Wonder Girls of Canadian Summertime
Mandulpati (excerpt)
2. Apr 07, 2008: Emphysema For Emphasis
Pangkur, Carabalen
4. Sep 08, 2007: Social Disorder
Pangkur

Album Review
Gabe
Reviewed 2008-03-10
Gamelan, obviously, but of a very formal nature, as you may
have guessed from the precious title, "Court Music Treasures".
That being the case, the music moves slowly, refinedly,
sometimes to the point of making for difficult listening. The CD
actually grew on me a quite a bit between my initial near-
aggravation and my second-listen appreciation.

1. Sharp timbres due to flutes, the female lead sings prettily,
the male chorus heartily, but perhaps for Western ears, all tend
to amble around, never really settling on any particular melody
** 2. 11 or 12 minutes of slow to mid-tempo metallophone
pleasantry leads to a half-minute or so of slightly faster and
busier, though no less genteel malleting, quickly settling back to
status quo ante.
** 3. Here, slightly rusty viol joins the metallophones and the
still-wandering vocalist; about 12 minutes in, the so-called soft
instruments (strings, voice) drop out and the more typical bells
take over
*** 4. Said to be by an ancient ensemble, this piece is darker and
while more complex rhythmically, considerably simpler in more
or less doing away with supporting instrumentation, making do
with metal and drums; I was surprised to find it in the middle of
the other, more densely arranged and higher-pitched pieces
surrounding it.
** 5. The viol from track 3 joins the vocal ensemble from track
1 for what turns out to be a bit anthemic, a bit regal, a bit
beautiful



Track Listing
1. Gambir Sawit   3. Mandulpati
2. Dhenggung Turulare   4. Carabalen
  5. Pangkur