Tabuh Kreasi (meaning "New Compositions" in Indonesian Language), Vol. 1 brings you fresh sounds played by Karawitan Students of the University ISI Denpasar (Bali, Indonesia).
In the process of studying and becoming creators, we new players are asked to compose Gamelan musical pieces of between 7 to 12 minutes, which is considered a good amount of length for a Balinese Gamelan Song.
In this first Volume of new compositions, we find two small different ensembles, performing first "Sanka Meteng": a track played in the sacred ensemble named "Selonding", which scale consists of 7 tones (Pelog Tujuh).
In their discovery, the players find a modern/contemporary way of approaching the instruments, mixing the traditional ensemble with the special "Sungu", a Balinese flute made out of sea shell, giving a very special and new vibe. They also performed live harmonic singing, and the drumming of the Kendang.
Secondly, "Kamani", a composition with a reduced Gong Kebyar ensemble, transports you to the ancient times around the Rice fields and the Bali jungle.
The melodic line is focused in the "Reyong" (Row of metal Gongs) and "Sulings" (flute). The fresh idea of this piece is the way players mix the most famous Gamelan ensemble (as Gong Kebyar is played constantly in every village and celebration) with new instruments. They found a gap from the tradition, setting their style closer to an avant-garde and ambient track.
credits
released April 16, 2021
This is a documentary process of recording Balinese Traditional Gamelan music, started in the year 2020.
Traditions have changed over time, but ancient musical compositions are adapted to nowadays life.
Agustín Oscar Rissotti, an Argentinian student of the University ISI Denpasar (Bali), developed an idea to join as many rehearsals, ensembles and religious ceremonies as possible with small microphones and recording equipment, to document the authentique "Bali Gamelan Sound".
In Bali, live performances are meant to be performed for the Gods. There is no egoistic purpose in this performances, but to admire the beauty of this world through the eyes of Hindu Balinese religion.
As for his ears, this is "The authentique Bali Sound", full of conversations around, people passing by, laughs, music of different performances played together (as it is meant to be in several Balinese Hindu ceremonies where -more than 1- ensembles are playing music very close to each other -at the same time-), background noises, sounds of coffee cups and arak shoots, breath of ciggaretes, animals hollowing around, hundreds of motorbikes passing by, and even mother nature earthquakes.
With all my respect, this is the vision of a South Latin American guy who ended up studying Balinese Culture and living in the Island during the pandemic.
I hope this can translate you to the world I am living in.
Thankyou, I hope you will enjoy this music. Astungkara, matur suksema.
All the economic contributions made to this project will be spent in developing the Balinese Culture and Artists.
Please donate buying the records in Bandcamp.
Artwork by Michele Ricucci @ph.michelericucci
Special thanks to I Wayan Suardiana Putra (@nanowsa_) who invited me and helped me understand and recognize the songs of this concert.