Search - Sam-Ang Sam Ensemble :: Echoes From The Palace: Court Music Of Cambodia

Excellent

11/02/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This cd is very good because it gives an insight and fine example of Khmer Royal dance, which Cambodia was quite well famous for in it's own country. It was considered an honour to be chosen at the ages of 7 to 9 to be trained in Royal Court dance in Cambodia. The dancers would have gone through vigorious training to perfect each gesture and each hand movement therefore showing that they have control of their bodies and the movements or gestures that they generate in a dance. Khmer classical dance or Royal Court dance is an important link to the Khmer past and it's history going back as far as the Angkor period or even further back right to the beginning of Khmer civilization. Khmer classical dance also has themes such as the forces of good and evil and also trimuph over evil which seemed to be a common theme like in the Reamker which is the Khmer version of the Ramayana and also from other popular Khmer stories. Therefore also showing the link between the gods and man kind and also the supernatural. In their splendour the celestial dancers would perform in front of the king, honouring ancient ancestors and praying for rain. Dressed in their elaborate costumes, of gold and silk, they move like the Apsaras from ancient Angkor. Khmer classical dance is accompanied by the pin-peat orchestra. The orchestra is comprised of wood wind and percussion instruments. Stringed instruments have no place in this orchestra. The orchestra is made up of two wooden xylophones roneat ek (with a higher pitched), roneat thung (with a lower pitched), roneat dek (metallophone which is rarely used now days), khong-vong thom (gong chimes with large gongs), khong-vong toch( gong chimes with smaller gongs), sralay (oboe), ching (metal clappers)which is now replacing the krap (wooden clappers), skor thom (two large bass drums struck with beaters), samphor (barrel drums played with hands)also accompanied by a choir of chant singers who are male and female and can number from two to five or more. Khmer classical dance has surived the Killing Fields and now is on the road to recovery. This cd is excellent because it helps to preserve the dance and it's music therefore it gives the opportunity for future generations to once again hear the music and dance that has made the Khmer people so proud of their country and culture. The cd also comes with information about each tracks and it also includes lyrics and a translation of their meanings in English. Each track is very beautifully record. The music is very slow and relaxing. I recommend this cd for any Khmer classical dance groups who have are problems obtaining very well recorded dance music, and I also recommend it to those who want to hear Khmer classical dance music."