What was the significance of the 1889 Paris Exposition for Indonesian music?
While representation of the exotic was already popular in musical and stage works with characters, stories, dancing, and music in imitation of the Other, the 1889 Exposition for the first time brought authentic exotic music to visitors to experience close-up.
What is a gamelan How does this relate to Claude Debussy’s compositions?
In Paris in 1889, a young composer named Claude Debussy saw a performance by an Indonesian gamelan — a collection of metal percussion instruments that served as the royal orchestra in the regional courts of that country. Debussy was astounded by the interlocking rhythm patterns and the exotic, chiming sound.
What is the musical contribution of Claude Debussy?
Claude Debussy (1862 – 1918) was a French composer who had an important influence on the modern music of the 20th century. He developed a highly original system of harmony and musical structure that expressed in many respects the ideals to which the Impressionist and Symbolist painters and writers of his time aspired.
What was it about gamelan music that Debussy found so fascinating?
Debussy said about gamelan music, “If one listens to it without being prejudiced by one’s European ears, one will find a percussive charm that forces one to admit that our own music is not much more than a barbarous kind of noise more fit for a traveling circus.” Debussy was fascinated with the sound of bells and gongs …
What is Javanese gamelan?
The Javanese gamelan is an orchestra of 60-plus musical instruments – bronze gongs and metallophones, drums, wooden flute and two-stringed fiddle – which together create a rich, distinctive sound.
What is Kulintang tuning system?
Kulintang gongs are made using the cire perdue method, a lost-wax process used for casting the individual gongs. The correct tuning is found by ear, with players striking a sequence of gongs, looking for a melodic contour they are familiar with.
What is Claude Debussy greatest contribution in music as a composer?
French composer Claude Debussy’s works were a seminal force in the music of the 20th century. He developed a highly original system of harmony and musical structure that expressed, in many respects, the ideals to which the Impressionist and Symbolist painters and writers of his time aspired.
What is the use of gamelan instrument?
A sustained melody is played either by the bamboo flute (suling) or by a bowed stringed instrument (rebab) or is sung—the last especially when, as often occurs, the gamelan is used to accompany theatrical performances, or wayang. The voice is then part of the orchestral texture.
What is the function of gamelan?
Functions of Gamelan Traditionally, gamelan is only played at certain occasions such as ritual ceremonies, special community celebrations, shadow puppet shows, and for the royal family. Gamelan is also used to accompany dances in court, temple, and village rituals.