Gamelan Of Central Java Xi: Music Of Remembrance

GAMELAN OF CENTRAL JAVA, Vol. XI
Felmay, 2009

INDONESIA – Gentle metallic gongs and group vocals, in a program built around the theme of death and remembrance. Some of the music sounds sad or funereal, but most of the selections have an air of private contemplation and somber acceptance. Features the high groan of the rebab, a bowed string instrument found throughout the Muslim world. Gamelan is an acquired taste. If you’ve acquired it, this is quite good.

* * * * | Fo’s Picks: 2, 3, 5

1. 5:55 – slow, w/ plaintive vocal chorus, quiet gongs, much flattening of notes
2. 7:57 – gloomy calm with free-floating rebab, very slow solo vocals
3. 10:13 – midtempo instrumental: full of bright sparkling accents like winking fireflies, creaky rebab… constantly shifting pattern within tight space
4. 21:32 – elaborate and serious, like a long processional: solo voice atop patterned layers including flute & rebab; full chorus in middle third
5. 13:23 – slow instrumental quartet: rebab wanders freely over gentle, dreamlike tones… at once folksy and alien, lovely yet aching

[ Fo ] 07/04/09