Search - Traditional Central Javanese Gamelan, Keluarga Karawitan Solo :: LOKANANTA: Javanese Gamelan Wedding Ceremony "Upacara Pengantin"

Classical Music from Central Java, Indonesia. This was the fourth cassette released under the Lokananta label, on 22 February, 1972. It immediately became a best seller, and has remained so until this day. The recordings were made in the studios of RRI Surakarta and the Karawitan Studio in Semarang between 1957 and 1959, amongst the first of Lokananta?s projects. The original tapes were used to master this CD. Upacara Pengantin includes a number of gendhing (pieces) that would be played during a Javanese wedding ceremony. Tracks 1 to 4 and track 9 are used most regularly; tracks 5 to 8 are extra pieces that can be added as needed. The titles beginning with Sri are credited to Sultan Pakubuwono X, the ruler of the Kraton Surakarta from 1893 to 1937. Although Indonesia was newly independent, many traditions remained from the time of the royal courts. 1. Lancaran Kebo Giro Pl. Br., RRI Surakarta, 6 October, 1957 (3:20) This well-known piece is played to welcome the guests as well as at the end of the ceremony. It was also chosen as the theme for the RRI Surakarta Javanese language news and is still played before and after the evening broadcast. 2. Monggang, Pl. Lima, RRI Surakarta, 6 October, 1957 (3:13) Known as gamelan seton (seto or Saturday) because it was once played in the Surakarta Kraton every Saturday. Monggang refers to both the gamelan of three tones, and its music. It accompanied palace-sponsored bull fights in an open square called the Alun-Alun. The fights occurred between two bulls, a bull and a tiger, or a man and a tiger, and were watched by the royal ruler. Monggang has become the traditional music used to welcome wedding guests.ndonesia was a new republic. People were excited. 3. Kodhok Ngorek Pl. Nem, Karawitan Studio Semarang, 22 April 1959 (3:20) Kodhok Ngorek, also a ceremonial gamelan, has atwo-tone repeated theme on the gamelan embellished by the piece Candra, played in slendro on the gender barung. The name of the gamelan may be translated as ?croaking frog.? It is played to ensure that the couple will be blessed with children. The two notes evoke culturally significant ?pairs? associated with marriage, such male and female, or life and death. 4. Gending Udan Basuki Sl. Mn., RRI Surakarta, 12 May 1959, (9:58) This is usually performed before the wedding ceremony starts, while the guests are just beginning to arrive. This piece expresses the hope of the host that nothing has been spared to make the guests comfortable and assure that they will enjoy the evening. Sumarmi, psd. 5. Ladrang Sri Kaloka Sl.Mn., RRI Surakarta, 14 October 1957, (10:36) The word Sri derives from the Javanese asri, meaning beautiful, and can also be translated as Raja, a royal ruler. With kaloka, meaning one who is well known, the title indicates a song about a famous king. Tukinem, psd. 6. Ladrang Sri Rejeki Pl. Nem, RRI Surakarta, 7 October 1957, (11:55) This piece recalls the times of prosperity and economic stability under the leadership of Sultan Pakubuwono X. The wisdom of the royal leader made everyone happy; there was plenty to eat and money was flowing. Sumarmi, psd. 7. Ladrang Wala Gita Pl. Nem, RRI Surakarta, 14 May 1959, (3:17) Sometimes Javanese people say ?wala wala gita,? meaning that a family who has been through a catastrophe will be made strong by having to face the difficulty. Sumarmi, psd. 8. Ladrang Sri Nindhita Pl. Nem, RRI Surakarta, 24 Feb 1958 (10:17) This is another piece extolling the goodness of the popular Sultan Pakubuwono X and his largesse towards his subjects. Tukinem, psd. 9. Ladrang Gleyong Pl. Br., RRI Surakarta, 24 Feb 1958 (2:30) This is played as the guests depart. The host bids them goodbye and asks to be forgiven if he has not fulfilled their every desire. Rusmini, psd.