Gamelan: The Traditional Sounds of Indonesia

by Henry Spiller

Focus: Gamelan Music of Indonesia is an introduction to the familiar music from Southeast Asia's largest country - both as sound and cultural phenomenon. An archipelago of over 17,000 islands, Indonesia is a melting pot of Hindu, Buddhist, Islamic, Portuguese, Dutch, and British influences. Despite this diversity, it has forged a national culture, one in which music plays a significant role. Gamelan music, in particular, teaches us much about Indonesian values and modern-day life. Focus: Gamelan Music of Indonesia provides an introduction to present-day Javanese, Balinese, Cirebonese, and Sundanese gamelan music through ethnic, social, cultural, and global perspectives.

Part One, Music and Southeast Asian History provides introductory materials for the study of Southeast Asian music. Part Two, Gamelan Music in Java and Bali, moves to a more focused overview of Gamelan music in Indonesia. Part Three, Focusing In, takes an in-depth look at Sundanese gamelan traditions, as well modern developments in Sundanese music and dance. The accompanying CD offers vivid examples of traditional Indonesian gamelan music.

Genres: Music

302 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2004

Reviews

[Dutch Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent overview of Indonesian gamelan with a helpful CD of musical examples.
The text is clearly written and well-organized, and includes a number of illustrations.
The appendices and CD are almost worth the price of the book on their own. A treasure for anyone interested in gamelan, and doubly so for anyone interested in the music of West Java. As someone with an interest in Indonesian music, I would put this book up there with McPhee's Music in Bali and Tenzer's first book for the quality of its information, and clarity of its presentation. Thank-you for your work, Mr. Spiller.