[For Beginners] A Collection of Gamelan Masterpieces [Introductory Guide]

BarisGenta Bhuana Sari

” Baris ” Genta Bhuana Sari

Genta Buana Sari is a notable gamelan ensemble, along with Tirta Sari, performing at the Balerung Stage behind Puri Agung in Peliatan.

Baris is essentially a male solo dance, and it is the first dance that boys in Ubud, Bali, learn.

And the Darkest Hour is Just Before DawnDaniel Schmidt and the Berkeley Gamelan

Daniel Schmidt and the Berkeley Gamelan – And the Darkest Hour is Just Before Dawn

This is a work by musician Daniel Schmidt, who was active in the minimal music/contemporary music scene in San Francisco in the 1970s.

Gamelan blends into minimal music, resulting in pieces whose sound is very pleasant and soothing.

nesa desa BanjarangkanSekaa Gong Banjar

sekaa gong banjar nesa desa Banjarangkan

It is an ensemble formed by members of the community for our village temple and local rites and ceremonies.

Unlike a professional group made up only of skilled performers, everyone involved—the dancers on stage and the musicians—are all neighbors, so the level of technique is not very high.

However, this is the original form of Balinese performing arts.

ImprovisationToshi Tsuchitori&Indonesian musician

Toshi Tsuchitori & Indonesian musician 土取利行 & Gamelan performer

Toshiyuki Tsuchitori is a musician and percussionist from Kagawa Prefecture.

He works across various genres, focusing on free jazz, theater music, ancient music, and folk music.

This video features an improvised performance with members of the Indonesian Institute of the Arts dance and music ensemble.

Legong LasemTirta Sari

Bali　Dance　”Legong Lasem”　Tirta Sari

Tirta Sari is a gamelan ensemble that carries on the true tradition today as the royal court’s official group from the prestigious village of Peliatan, famed for Bali’s court dance Legong.

One of Tirta Sari’s signature pieces is this Legong Lasem.

The video here presents only a portion, but listening to the full performance will likely leave you with a feeling of purification.

Jaranan Lcr. Manyarsewu Binangun Pl.Br.Rahayu Supanggah

Lahayu Supanggah is a well-known composer in Indonesia.

He was responsible for the music in Opera Jawa, an Austrian film set in Indonesia, and won the Asian Film Award in 2007.

Since 2007, he has been a resident artist at London’s Southbank Centre, the largest arts complex in Europe.

Contemporary Malay KompangGeng Wak Long

Contemporary Malay Kompang from Geng Wak Long

This piece is by Gen Warrong from a Malaysian gamelan group, using the Malaysian frame drum called the kompang, arranged in a contemporary style.

Strictly speaking, it isn’t gamelan, but in Japan it’s introduced as a gamelan group.