Bali: Music from the Morning of the World [Original recording remastered]

Various Artists (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 11, 2003)
• Original Release Date: 1967
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Nonesuch
• ASIN: B000083GHL
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #23,398 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Gamelan Gong Kebyar: Baris/Gambang Betjak

2. Sekehe Genggong: Pemungkah/Frog Song/Flute Solo

3. Sekehe Gambuh: Sekar Leret

4. Gamelan Gong: Barong Dance

5. Lullaby

6. Gamelan Angklung: Margepati

7. Ketjak Dance

8. Gender Wayang: Ansarun

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This first album of the influential Explorer Series was a harbinger of the present fascination with traditional world music. British producer David Lewiston was moved to tape these illuminating works in 1966 during a visit to Indonesia. When he auditioned his finds for Teresa (Tracey) Sterne (1927-2000) of Nonesuch Records, she decided to release them, even though unadulterated field recordings had never before been marketed as entertainment for discerning listeners. The eight tracks function as a stylistic sampler, ranging from bell-like, percussive gamelans to a flute solo accompanied by drums and what sounds like a mouth harp. There is also a sweet lullaby sung by a young girl with a fresh, hesitant voice. However, the single most amazing track is an excerpt from a kecak, or monkey chant, where scores of male voices face off in uneven, staccato yips, groans, and yells, over a foundation of hypnotic repeated melodic fragments. --Christina Roden

Product Description

Few styles of music can come close to the shimmering brilliance and tempestuous rhythms of the orchestral gamelan gong kebyar , one of many Balinese styles showcased here.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Intro to Balinese Music, November 29, 2003

By 

H. Miller "ashdsch5" (Greenbelt, MD United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bali: Music from the Morning of the World (Audio CD)

Having played Balinese gamelan for a few years and visiting the island last summer, I've come to appreciate the large variety of music you find there. I was partial to the gong kebyar style, now I love it all. This CD serves as a good introduction to the different kinds of music from Bali. The excerpt of Baris is good and including the kecak, gender wayang and angklung gives you idea of the vast differences in style. Though, it does help to have some context for the music, like gender wayang is used primarily for shadow puppetry, angklung for funeral ceremonies, and kecak was created specifically for tourism. I have the orginial issue of this CD and not sure, but hope, the reissue has notes on the pieces. It's a good thing Nonesuch has been reissuing these world music recordings, they are really well done.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, March 13, 2009

By 

Mrs. Frisky (New York City) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bali: Music from the Morning of the World (Audio CD)

A lovely recording of very beautiful music. Put it on, sit down and close your eyes, and let your mind wander....