INDONESIA – INDONÉSIE Java – Gamelans from the Sultan's Palace in Jogjakarta – Archiv Produktion 2723 017

INDONESIA – INDONÉSIE
Java – Gamelans from the Sultan's Palace in Jogjakarta – Archiv Produktion 2723 017, recorded by Jacques Brunet in 1972 (2 LP)

This excellent historic double LP released on the prestigious German classical music label Archiv Produktion was recorded at the Kraton (palace of the Sultan) of Jogjakarta built in 1755. Musicologist Jacques Brunet emphasizes that several Sultans of the dynasty were creative artists, some commissioned new gamelan, choreographed dances and composed gendings. His Royal Highness Hamengku Buwana IX (1912-1988), who reigned at the time of these recordings, maintained some 50 musicians and singers, as well as a large troupe of dancers in residence. Visiting musicians also came to the Palace – a major traditional cultural center – for important ceremonies.

This album showcases seven tracks performed by the court musicians and singers on seven different sets of gamelans, out of the Palace’s collection of 17 gamelans, some of which were recorded here for the first time.

 

Cet excellent double album historique publié sur le prestigieux label allemand de musique classique Archiv Produktion a été enregistré au Kraton (palais du sultan) de Jogjakarta construit en 1755. Selon Jacques Brunet, “ plusieurs sultans de la lignée furent des artistes créateurs. Certains firent marteller de nouveaux gamelan, créèrent des danses et composèrent des ganding ”. Son Altesse Royale Hamengku Buwana IX (1912-1988), qui régnait au moment de ces enregistrements, maintenait en résidence une cinquantaine de musiciens et chanteurs, ainsi qu’une importante troupe de danseurs. De nombreux musiciens de l’extérieur se rendaient également au palais – un centre majeur pour la culture traditionnelle – lors de grandes cérémonies.

 

Cet album présente sept morceaux joués sur sept gamelans différents – sur les 17 gamelans conservés au palais – dont certains ont été enregistrés ici pour la première fois.

 

A1 – Gamelan Sekati Kangdjeng Kyahi Naga Wilaga – Gending Andong-andong (The Venerable Fighting Serpent) 

A2 – Gamelan Kodok Ngorek Kangdjeng Kyahi Keboganggang – Gending Kodok Ngorek (The Venerable Fighting Buffalo) 

B1 – Gamelan Kyahi Surak – Gending Ulul-uluk 

B2 – Gamelan Kyahi Hardja Mulya – Gending Laras Ati 

C1 – Gamelan Kyahi Guntur Sari – Gending Gangsaran with Gending Roningatawan and Gending Bima Kurda (The Venerable Thunder of Flowers) 

C2 – Gamelan Kyahi Madu Kentir – Gending Babad  

D – Gamelan Kyahi Kuntul Wiranten with chorus, rebab bowed lute, and suling flute conducted by Mujiono – Gending Gambir Sawit (The Venerable Bird of Paradise)

Conducted by Raden Rja Gondokusumo (A1-C2) and by Mujiono (D).

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From 1963 to 1982, Jacques Brunet, a concert pianist turned musicologist, made a series of recordings of traditional music from South-East Asia, via his many explorations of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Burma, Malaysia and Indonesia. We owe Brunet tremendous gratitude for mapping out the vanishing traditional musics in these countries and the outstanding musical quality of his many releases.

Many thanks to David for providing the scans of this double album.

Our other Javanese gamelan posts:

Gamelan Garland – Gamelan Kjai Kanjut Mesem/Mangkunagaran Surakarta (1968) here

Gamelan Kjahi Kaduk, Manis Rengga – Gamelan Music from Java (1963) here

Musique de Java – L'Ecole de Loka Wangi (1971) here

Java – Glagah Wangi Gamelan – Une Nuit de Wayang Kulit (1971) here
Sunda – Gamelan Degung directed by Enip Sukanda (1972) here

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