Customer Reviews

The Music of Cambodia, Volume 2: Royal Court Music

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Music Of Cambodia Vol. 2 Royal Court music contains some of the best recordings that I have heard so far from Cambodia. In this cd it features two of the most well known orchestras often associated with the royal court of Cambodian and is also related to the royal court of neighbouring Thailand. Pin-peat and mahori (mohori) orchestra. The pin-peat orchestra which featured in vol. 1 9 Gong Gamelan is much similar to the pin-peat orchestra featured here in volume 2. The instrumentations are the same, two bamboo or wooden xylophones, two sets of gong-chimes, one oboe, two large bass drums, horizontal barrel drum and metal clappers. In some of the tracks the music is very heavy especially with emphasis of the large bass drums in some of the tracks. In track three it is a very lively track with the xylophone, barrel drum, oboes, gong-chimes and metal clappers play this very hazy and jazzy style composition. Track six is a dance piece used to accompany the Apsara dance "Dance of the Celestial Nymphs" very beautiful and is also accompanied with female vocals. There are usually several different pieces of music that are played during a dance performance, also track seven is another dance piece called Tep-Monorom "Dance of the Heavenly Gods and Goddess for Happiness". The style is the same for track six however there is also an solo oboe performance in the piece near the end and the consulsion is very vibrant and strong especially due to the loud booming sounds made by the two large bass drums which concludes the dance. The second orchestra in this cd is the mahori orchestra, this orhcestra is much lighter in style than pin-peat. The orchestra is predominately made up of stringed instruments, wind and also percussion. The orchestra in this recording contains: roneat ek (xylophone with a high pitch), roneat thung (xylophone with a low pitch), a couple of tros (folk fiddle), takhe (three stringed wooden zither), khim (hammered dulcimer), kholy (flute or duct), skor thun (goblet drum), skor romunea (frame drum) and chhing (metal clappers) and is also accompanied with male and female vocals. The music is full of zest and drive due to the string instruments especially the takhe giving sharp and crisps notes when played as well as the mellow sounds of the folk fiddles accompanied by vocals at each strophe which can be delicate and quite light. This music can be played at any time or anywhere especially during the hot summer nights when there are cool breezes sweeping through the house of the verandah. This cd is good and contains a great deal of information about each piece however this cd is just two thirds of the box set. So I recommend that the box set, its worth it's value. I recommend this cd for anyone who wants something a little royal and exotic as well as refined.

"The Music of Cambodia:Royal Court Music" introduced me to the richness and exotica of Asian music. Musically,Cambodia lacks the high-profile of J-pop,Peking Opera,and the soundtracks of Hong Kong action films. Cambodia is a country of great tragedy and glory. The ruins of Angkor Wat testify to a resilient ancient culture that has survived despite the ravages of time as well as the Khmer Rouge's oppression.

In "Royal Court Music",the pinpeat and mahori orchestras take center stage. There are instrumentals for different parts of the day-for weddings, or even feeding turtles (one of my favorite tracks)-as well as accompanying dances (track six is for the Asparas,borrowed from Hindu mythology)

This album isn't as accessible as the latest from Gackt and Puffy Ami Yumi,but it serves as a snapshot of an ancient,resilient culture. It is a look at a traditional culture that gets little attention,but deserves more.