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A House in Bali (Paperback)

~ (Author), James Murdoch (Author) "THE SHIP HAD SAILED from Surabaya for Bali in the late afternoon..." (more)
Key Phrases: arja play, anak agung, little gongs, Anak Agung, Ida Bagus, Den Pasar (more...)
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In the 1930s a young American composer heard some gramophone records of Balinese gamelan music- the clear metallic music of the land that forever changed his life. Writer Colin McPhee lived for the day when he could travel and study the beautiful island, its people, culture, and music. His classic text written in the 1940s remains the only literary narrative of the island by a classically trained musician, and this unique perspective allowed him to immerse himself in the people, and music of his beloved Bali. McPhee's work is a landmark look at Bali's distinctive gamelan tradition, now available again more than 50 years after it was written. Colin McPhee left Bali in 1938 as the threat of World War loomed over the Pacific.


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Product Details

  • Paperback: 224 pages
  • Publisher: Periplus Editions (May 15, 2000)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 9625936297
  • ISBN-13: 978-9625936291
  • Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #61,405 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

    #2 in  Books > Travel > Asia > Indonesia > Bali
    #33 in  Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Travel

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Colin McPhee
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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Inside This Book (learn more)
First Sentence:
THE SHIP HAD SAILED from Surabaya for Bali in the late afternoon. Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
arja play, anak agung, little gongs, great gongs, temple feast, ceremonial music
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Anak Agung, Ida Bagus, Den Pasar, Chokorda Rahi, Agung Biang, Gamelan of Semara, Gusti Bagus, Gusti Lusuh, Agung Mandra, Gusti Raka, Temple of the Dead, Mountain of Flowers, Sun God, Gunung Agung, New York, North Bali
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Balinese Music by Michael Tenzer
Bali by Adrian Vickers
 

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Customer Reviews

11 Reviews
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4.7 out of 5 stars (11 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A good read, August 23, 2003
I am Balinese and live in Ubud, about 10 minutes walk from where Colin McPhee stayed, when he came to Bali in 1931. My aunt worked for him.

He heard a record of gamelan music in New York and couldn't wait to get to Bali to listen to the real thing.

He stayed in Bali for almost 8 years and set about documenting gamelan music. Much of his research was carried out in a village near Ubud where my Villas are. There are still old people in the village who remember him.

His book is beautifully written and tells stories of his adventures and life in the village and his encounters with the local Balinese. It's not necessary to understand technical music matters to enjoy this book - it is totally accessible.

Highly recommended.

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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Hooked!, May 19, 2002
By May Tobias (Manila, Philippines) - See all my reviews
Ever since I visited Bali in 1997, I've been hooked on anything Bali--gamelan music, the wayang puppets, the masks, the smell of kretek ( I don't smoke) and incense, frangipani flowers,... even the sputtering sound of motorcycles! I got my hands on all the National Geographic issues on Bali I could lay my hands on in second-hand bookshops .

When I found this book, I was almost certain I wasn't going to be disappointed. I was right. Consider, for instance, the blurb at the back of the book: "The graveryard, moreover, was a natural meeeting-place for witches and sorcerers, for every village had its suspects, owneres of books of spells that enabled the reader to change himself into a leyak--a ball of fire, a giant rat, or even a riderless motor cycle that travelled backwards. In this magic state sorcerers were indeed dangerous; they could send a man out of his wits or bring him to a lingering death."

Written by a musician, it doesn't fare so badly as a literary read. It captures the magic, mysticism, and soul of a place. A Bali experience is a sensory overload. Colin McPhee happily immersed himself in it and did a very impressive job.

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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A classic account of life and music in Bali in the 1930's., May 21, 1996
By A Customer
This review is from: A House in Bali (Hardcover)
Colin McPhee was a young American composer, just out of college in the early thirties when he heard a recording of Bali's unique gamelan music. Having time and (apparently) money, he traveled to the island, lived there for several years and studied the music. The book is a warm-hearted account of the people he knew, their lives and their music. Anyone thinking of a trip to Bali or just curious about the Balinese and their music must read this classic. Unfortunately, it is currently listed as not in stock by the publisher. If we pester them enough, perhaps they will print more.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars A great read for a traveler to Bali
I took this book on a recent once-in-a-lifetime trip with my fiance to Bali. I found it an enjoyable read as we traveled around the island. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Jabberwocky

4.0 out of 5 stars Nostalgic trip
A fairly well written book about a Bali that does not exist anymore, but vivid in the memory of those lucky enough to have experienced McPhee's sense of wonder. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Raul R. Nunez

5.0 out of 5 stars The epitome of following one's dream
Even as the art & tradition of classical gamelan music fades in Java, gamelans are built & organized in America & Europe, the music is studied & taught in universities. Read more
Published 23 months ago by DJ Rix

4.0 out of 5 stars Good travel read.
I'm heading to Bali this month and this book provided a great intro to the customs and nature of this island. I'm even more excited to get there after reading it.
Published on July 7, 2007 by C. Krow

5.0 out of 5 stars Music Lover
I first heard Gamelan was coming out of the oldest temple on the Island of Bali, near Ubud, and was reading this book at the time. Read more
Published on September 23, 2004 by French Raven

5.0 out of 5 stars Quite an interesting and well presented account of Bali
It's a very interesting book in regards to what I have actually read. It seems to have accounts on Balinese culture. Read more
Published on August 8, 2002 by Kean Chhay Chang

5.0 out of 5 stars A magical view into an ancient tradition
I first read this book as an anthropology major at Harvard. I immediately wanted to go to Bali and experience it for myself. Read more
Published on September 9, 1999 by (meambroise@hotmail.com)

5.0 out of 5 stars Diary of an artist charmed by heaven.
A must-read for all those, like me, have fallen in love with Bali. McPhee tells a tale that many of us would like to live... Read more
Published on August 24, 1998 by Davide Capponi

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