Thursday 9 September 2010 - Gamelan Now!
In collaboration with Gaudeamus Music week: Steve Reich and new compositions (world premiere)

Gamelan Now! is entirely devoted to contemporary gamelan music. In collaboration with the Gaudeamus Music week, there are two projects: the Dutch gamelan ensemble Gending will play two of the gamelan compositions nominated for the Gaudeamus Music Prize. Subsequently Gending gamelan ensemble and the West-Javanese Kyai Fatahillah gamelan ensemble will together play three of their own works, the result of a collaborative project.

The theme of the second part of the evening is the relationship between composer Steve Reich and the gamelan. In 1973/74, Steve Reich studied Balinese gamelan in the USA. His intensive adaption of Balinese gamelan music among other things led to a new polyrhythmic counterpoint within minimal music, which he often called ‘gradual music’. Compositions by Reich were performed worldwide, but not by Indonesian gamelan groups. On commission from IGFA2010, the two gamelan groups Gamelan Kyai Fatahillah (Sunda/West Java) and Gong Semara Ratih (Bali) each re-interpret one composition by Steve Reich: Six Marimbas and Music for 18 Musicians respectively.

This event is directed by the right hand of Steve Reich, the American musician /composer Evan Ziporyn. In addition, IGFA2010 commissioned Balinese composer I Made Arnawa and Javanese composer Iwan Gunawan to create a new composition inspired by Steve Reich’s music, his structures and concepts. This evening signifies the world premiere of all these compositions.

Friday 10 September 2010 - Gamelan Bali
Innovative/renewed 7-tone gamelan Semarandana

Gong Semara Ratih from Ubud, under the artistic leadership of dancer Anak Agung Gde Anom Putra, is a unique ensemble from Bali. They are coming to the Netherlands in their complete strength of 25 persons, supplemented by the composer I Made Arnawa. The group has an extensive and varied programme and is extremely strong in traditional repertoire. But due to their choice for the renewed gamelan Semarandana, the 7-tone gamelan, at the same time they have specialized in new repertoire which they interpret with enormous flair and virtuosity. Their programme demonstrates both sides: tradition and innovation.

The innovation takes form in music for gamelan and electronics by American composer Christine Southworth, a new choreography by Anak Agung Gde Anom Putra and 7-tone gamelan composition by I Made Arnawa and Semara Ratih, which open the doors to the 21st century.

Saturday 11 September 2010 - Gamelan Java (Sunda)
Three generations of composers

During IGFA2010 attention will be focused on the Javanese gamelan from Sunda (West Java). One of the most interesting Sundanese groups at this moment is Kyai Fatahillah, led by composer Iwan Gunawan from Bandung. In addition to the traditional, lively, gamelan degung repertoire the group will also play a set of modern compositions, not only by Iwan Gunawan himself, but also by Nano Suratno and his teacher Mang Koko: a programme around three generations of Indonesian composers from the 20th and 21st centuries.

Besides music there is dance too: topeng cirebon (masked dance from West Java) and the currently forbidden jaipongan (for being too sensual). For this the group is expanded by 8 singers and dancers, who moreover play West Javanese chamber music as well (kecapi suling and tembang sunda).

Location: Tropenmuseum - Amsterdam