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Gamelan of Central Java VII: Edge of Tradition
$17.99

The seventh CD in Felmay's series dedicated to the gamelan culture of Central Java focuses on contemporary adaptations of the tradition.

Musicians
Pesindhen (female singers): Nyi Cendaniraras, Nyi Suparsih
Musicians of STSI Surakarta. Coordinator: Joko Purwanto.
Recordings made 6-7 May, 2004, in the Studio of STSI, playing the "ancient" gamelan of STSI, except Track 3 (recording 22 July, 2003, playing the "pendhapa" gamelan of STSI).

Press from the record label:
Edge of Tradition is the seventh CD in our series dedicated to the gamelan culture of Central Java and the musicianship of the players - all from the Surakarta conservatory - is again impeccable.

The opening track, a very special gending composed in the mid 20th century by the revered maestro Martopangrawit, features an opening and closing section in 3/4 tempo, unexpectedly recalling Western styles such as the waltz. By no means an isolated example, as the sleevenotes of Javanese musicologist Sumarsam attest, the piece shows how a musical culture we commonly think of as closed, for centuries shut off from the outside world, has in fact experimented with styles of other traditions.

Indeed the whole CD offers the listener a fresh and surprising encounter with a gamelan tradition somewhat different from the models commonly heard in the West. The second track, the celebrated Kombang Mara gending, appears here in a version for two female voices (the charming Nyi Cendaniraras e Nyi Suparsih) while the traditional version is for only one voice. This reworking, conceived by series curator John Noise Manis and arranged and played (on the rebab) by the great musician Suraji, also includes texts from Javanese poetic literature (with translation in the booklet) which would not normally form part of the piece. The third track is also notable for a certain syncopation of the main melodic line, not commonly found in Javanese music. The CD's closing piece - the well-known Puspa Warna, often cited for having been sent into space with the Voyager in a recording made by Robert E. Brown - is included in two different versions: first in the rarely heard pelog scale, then in the standard slendro scale.

While staying firmly anchored in musical tradition, “Edge of Tradition” presents elements which are indicative of an inherent potential for evolving of Central Javanese gamelan music, and provides a glimpse of this culture - definitely comparable with the world's richest musical cultures - as a 'tradition in movement'. In our catalogue you can also find:
Gamelan of Central Java - I. Classical Gendings
Gamelan of Central Java - II. Ceremonial Music
Gamelan of Central Java - III. Modes and Timbres
Gamelan of Central Java - IV. Spiritual Music