7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting cd with three different types of orchestras, January 11, 2001
This review is from: Between Heaven & Earth: Traditional Gamelan Music of Bali (Audio CD)
Very interesting cd with a different varieties of recording from the earthy and natural sounds of the Gamelan Jegog with it's large resonating sounds of the bamboo keys giving it's quite distinct contrasts compared to most gamelan music that I have heard which tended to have metallic keys that give it that shimmering, mystical, hazy, delicate, loud and dreamy kind of sound. Gamelan Jegog is very lively as the notes in the cd had described it like fat rain falling on to the soil. Very unusual with a earthy texture. Gamelan Semar Pegulingan with it's light and sweet, subtle sounds of the resonating keys when struck. This orchestra tended to typify many Balinese gamelan orchestras, with it's metallic ringing of the metallophones and other instruments that make it so sweet and also with sweet intentions as the notes explains it's sole purpose in the royal courts of Bali back in the old days. Gamelan Semar Pegulingan gives it that timeless piece with sounds of beautiful instruments playing, thus giving it an airy feel to the whole track as well as creating a sense of beauty and also creating an unusual atmosphere which is hard to describe sounding a cross between a traditional Chinese orchestra that of Laos, Thailand and Cambodia. Gender Wayang also features in this cd, with it's very distinct playing style which sounds very timeless, dreamy and also sounds like one of those computer games with it's simple music. Gender Wayang was used to accompany shadow plays, cremations, tooth filing ceremonies and also wedding ceremonies. No wonder this beautiful type of orchestra was used to accompany so many traditional Balinese functions. This is a great cd to have for those who want to know more about there different types of gamelan orchestras that are played and performed in Bali. It contains some the best and very clear recorded music that I have ever heard so far. Between Heaven and Earth in many aspects from my point of view. The notes are good however they should include some photographs of the musical orchestras. Overall it's good!!!
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