by Jo Hilder | Oct 14, 2016 | 2016
Music from Java, Bali and Sumatra Adam Concert Room, NZ School of Music, Victoria University Students from PERF 250 performed as part of their assessment for this semester’s NZSM course in Javanese gamelan performance, taught by Budi S. Putra. Also featured: Javanese music from Gamelan Padhang Moncar and the Indonesian Chorus Balinese music from Gamelan Taniwha Jaya. Sumatran talempong from Jack Hooker, recently returned from a 3 month scholarship to...
by Jo Hilder | Jul 15, 2016 | 2016
Friday 15 July, 4-6pm A celebration was held at Te Kōkī New Zealand School of Music to mark the 40th anniversary of Gamelan Padhang Moncar on permanent loan from the Embassy of Indonesia and to welcome a new set of Chinese musical instruments gifted by Confucius Institute Both Gamelan Padhang Moncar and Gamelan Taniwha Jaya performed, as well as several Chinese soloists on the new Chinese instruments. Budi S. Putra, Briar Prastiti and Carina Esguerra also performed some macapat after the speech from the representative of the Indonesian Embassy. Gamelan Taniwha Jaya Macapat Gamelan ensemble directors Gamelan Padhang Moncar Balinese gongs and GPM Photos courtesy of RNZ website and Te...
by Jo Hilder | Jun 18, 2016 | 2016
All-Day Multicultural Event Saturday 18th June 2016, 10am-5pm St Patrick’s College Hall, Kilbirnie Gamelan Padhang Moncar have in the past held some very special music events at the church of St Mary of the Angels, involving their wonderful choir (Vita Brevis and Darkness to Light). This event was to raise funds for the seismic strengthening of their historic building which is currently a busy building site rather than a place of worship. A small gadon group from Gamelan Padhang Moncar performed at this festival which will feature a wide range of performances from many cultural groups (European and Māori, Pacific and Asian) as well food stalls and face-painting. Gamelan Padhang Moncar - 11:30am (followed by Indonesian...
by Jo Hilder | Mar 6, 2016 | 2016
Sunday 6 March 2016 Gamelan Padhang Moncar performed at the Newtown Fair on the Living Wage Stage on Constable Street at 10am....
by Jo Hilder | Feb 5, 2016 | 2016
5 Feb – 13 March 2016 ShadowPlay – an exhibition of wayang kulit shadow puppets from Cirebon (West Java) at Pataka Museum. The antique collection of puppets was purchased by the late Allan Thomas in 1974 together with a set of gamelan instruments. Jennifer Shennan and Joko Susilo worked to curate a unique exhibition showcasing these treasures. Associated events were: Saturday 6 February, 11:30am, Performing Arts Studio, Pataka Art + Museum Wayang kulit performance by Joko Susilo accompanied by The First Smile gamelan. Sunday 7 February, 1:45pm Official opening of the exhibition by the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia, Pak Jose Tavares. Gamelan Padhang Moncar performed as well as dancers and angklung. Sunday 13 March, 2pm, Bottle Creek Gallery The First Smile gamelan in the Bottle Creek Gallery space at Pataka to farewell the shadow puppets before the exhibition...
by Jo Hilder | Jan 23, 2016 | 2016
Gamelan Padhang Moncar provided music during parts of the ceremony and during post-ceremony drinks at a wedding in January 2016. It was held in the beautiful gardens of Te Parae Homestead near Masterton. Javanese gamelan can be a beautiful, peaceful accompaniment to add something unique to any ceremony. Contact us if you would like to hire us....
by Jo Hilder | Dec 5, 2015 | 2015
Saturday 5 December 2015, 7:30pm Adam Concert Room, Te Kōkī NZ School of Music A troupe of four young dancers from Swargaloka dance studio in Jakarta put on a stunning show accompanied by Gamelan Wellington ensembles. Read a review of this show. The programme included dances in the classic Javanese and Balinese traditions, Beksan Enggar-Enggar and Tari Margapati, as well as a more recent work of mixed Sundanese and Balinese styles, Bajidor Kahot. The dancers also performed their own choreography to two Javanese pieces, Sesaji and Nusantara Indah. Click on the images below to enlarge. Chikal Mutiara Diar performs Sesaji Yani Walandari in Beksan Enggar-Enggar. Bathara Saverigadi Dewandoro and Yani Wulandari in Beksan Enggar-Enggar Yani Wulandari performs Bajidor Kahot Bathara Saverigadi Dewandoro and Yani Wulandari in Bajidor Kahot Tri Kadar Nugroho in Bajidor Kahot Chikal Mutiara Diar performs Tari Margapati Chikal Mutiara Diar and Denta Sepdwiansyah Pinandito in Tari Margapati All photos © Jasper Rain. Review By Jennifer Shennan, Michelle Potter on Dancing, 7 December 2015 Prabhu Sri Bathara Kresna, a character in Indonesian wayang kulit shadow puppet theatre, can wield weapons of supernatural power. One of these,wijaya kusuma, is a flower so beautiful (would that be a lotus, a water lily, or passionfruit flower?), it is said to bring back the dead from their graves. The director of Gamelan Padhang Moncar, Budi Putra, must have borrowed such a flower for the evening’s performance since Jack Body, loved musician, composer, colleague, mentor and friend, who endeavoured for such a long time to bring this troupe of dancers from Jakarta to New Zealand, died earlier this year so did not live to see their performance. But every member of the...
by Jo Hilder | Oct 3, 2015 | 2015
3 October 2015 Wellington South Baptist Church, 284 The Parade, Island Bay Joko Susilo presented the story of The Fall of Alengka from the Ramayana through wayang kulit (traditional Javanese shadow puppetry), accompanied by Gamelan Padhang Moncar as part of the Out of the Suitcase Puppet Festival in Island Bay. Click on the photos to see larger images. Wayang Kulit (Photo: Kelly Kellective) Photos: Kelly Kellective Review By Ann Hunt, Dominion Post, 6 October 2015 The Fall of Alengka is a story from the great Indian epic, The Ramayana. Its creator, Joko Susilo, is an eighth-generation Indonesian shadow puppeteer, now resident in Dunedin. An integral part of the performance is the musical accompaniment by the mesmerising Gamelan Padhang Moncar. Particular mention must go to the beautiful singing of Briar Prastiti and the stirring drumming of Rupert Snook. The Gamelan adds brilliant drama and colour to the production. The beautifully made, intricate puppets demonstrate high energy and refinement, an extraordinarily wide range of emotions and movement. Great skill and dexterity, immense discipline and total concentration is required of the puppeteer. Susilonot only manipulates the puppets, but also narrates the action, sings and does some sound effects as well. His mastery is complete. The story is one of good triumphing over evil. It tells how Prince Rama battled the terrible Rawhina who had abducted his wife Princess Sinta, and of their many ordeals before they were eventually reunited. The middle traditional comic section features clowns who trade slapstick business and references to John Key and the All Blacks. The spellbound audience gave Susilo and the Gamelan a joyous standing...
by Jo Hilder | Aug 22, 2015 | 2015
Saturday 22 - Sunday 23 August, 2015 Allen Hall Theatre, University of Otago, Dunedin Dunedin celebrated 20 years of having its own Javanese gamelan with a weekend festival featuring talks, performances and workshops, masterminded by Pak Joko Susilo, director of Puspawarna Gamelan and dhalang extraordinaire. Members of Gamelan Padhang Moncar contributed with talks by Gareth Farr, Megan Collins who delivered the Keynote Address and Briar Prastiti. Other regions of New Zealand and Australia were also represented. Click on the photos below to see a larger image. Joko Susilo, dhalang Ade Suharto in a contemporary piece composed by David Kotlowy Wayang kulit Megan Collins, keynote speaker, played rabab pasisia Niken Waloejo conducted a dance workshop Ade Suharto and Niken Waloejo Programme: Saturday 22 August Seminars – Black/Sale House (Music Department, University of Otago) 10am - Official welcome 10:30am - coffee break 11am - Keynote speech: Dr Megan Collins (manager of Gamelan Padhang Moncar) 12 noon - Lunch 1pm - Gamelan in Australasia: Henry Johnson (University of Otago); Ilona Wright (University of Melbourne) 2pm - Gamelan Composition: Gareth Farr (Wellington); Anthony Ritchie (Otago) 3pm - Afternoon tea 3:30pm - The World of Gamelan: Miranda Adams (Auckland); David Kotlowy (Adelaide) Concert ($15 adult/kids free) - Allen Hall Theatre 7pm - featuring Javanese dance, compositions for gamelan and music from Gamelan Padhang Moncar Sunday 23 August Workshops - Allen Hall Theatre 1pm - Gamelan Composition Workshop: Briar Prastiti, Gareth Farr, 2pm - Dance workshop (Merak) with Niken Waloejo Concert ($15 adult/kids free) - Allen Hall Theatre 5pm - featuring dance, music from Gamelan Puspawarna with guest artists, and a short wayang kulit show (shadow puppets): “Babat...
by Jo Hilder | Jul 26, 2015 | 2015
Sunday 26 July 2015 10am @ The Beehive (NZ Parliament), 1 Molesworth St, Thorndon Jason explains rebab to an audience member Carina and Stephanie (centre) Tristan on violin The Indonesian Chorus Manager Megan Collins honours the late Jack Body Violin and rabab Pasisia Photos: Victoria University of Wellington Image Services (Colin McDiarmid) To celebrate the 150th Birthday of Wellington becoming the capital of New Zealand, more than 30 national institutions opened their doors free of charge, revealing some of the rarest and most significant collections and important treasures housed in this city. The New Zealand School of Music Open Day (held at the Beehive) opened with a free performance from Gamelan Padhang Moncar at 10am, followed by aspiring jazz vocalists at 12 noon and classical voice students at 2pm. Programme: Asmaramurka A contemporary gamelan composition by Nanang Karbito, a young gamelan composer and lecturer at Gadjah Mada University of Yogyakarta, this piece expresses feelings of anger through its very fast tempo. Lagu Dolanan (Folk Songs) - featuring The Indonesian Chorus Suwe Ora Jamu, written by RC Hardjosubroto, is very popular, especially when sung by Waljinah, a prominent Indonesian singer of the keroncong style. Swara Suling, (“Sound of the Flute”) Prahu Layar, (‘Sailing Boat’), tells of a cheerful relaxing Sunday picnic on a boat and beach, and evokes the waves of the sea. These last two pieces were composed in the late 1970s by Ki Narto Sabdo, a prominent Javanese gamelan expert and a famous dhalang (puppeteer). They remain popular to this day. Nusantara Indah “Nusantara Indah” (the beauty of Islands) was composed by Dedek Wahyudi, a prominent gamelan composer and gamelan expert. This is...
by Jo Hilder | Jun 27, 2015 | 2015
All-Day Multicultural Event Saturday 27th June 2015, 10am-4pm St Patrick’s College Hall, Kilbirnie Gamelan Padhang Moncar have in the past held some very special music events at the church of St Mary of the Angels, involving their wonderful choir (Vita Brevis and Darkness to Light). The church held this event to raise funds for the seismic strengthening of their historic building which is currently a busy building site rather than a place of worship. Gamelan Padhang Moncar was very happy to perform at this festival which featured a wide range of performances from many cultural groups (including Korean, Tongan, Irish, Filipino) as well food stalls. Radio New Zealand National Programme announcers, Cynthia Morahan and Eru Rerekura were the MC’s. Gamelan Padhang Moncar -...
by Jo Hilder | Jun 5, 2015 | 2015
Javanese and Balinese gamelan music recital Friday 5 June 2015, 7pm Adam Concert Room, NZ School of Music, Victoria University Students from PERF 250 performed as part of their assessment for this semester’s NZSM course in Javanese gamelan performance, taught by Budi S. Putra. Also appearing were Gamelan Padhang Moncar with an Indonesian choir performing lagu dolanan (Prau Layar and Swara Suling), and Gamelan Taniwha Jaya presenting two Balinese pieces: a traditional temple piece (Tabu Telu Buaya Mangap) and music usually used to accompany dance (Tari Gopala). In a special guest appearance, Dr Joko Susilo performed a brief wayang kulit (shadow puppetry), assisted by Megan Collins and accompanied by Gamelan Padhang Moncar. Very short Wayang by Joko Susilo (& Megan Collins) GPM with Indonesian Chorus Gamelan Taniwha Jaya Students of PERF 250...
by Jo Hilder | May 29, 2015 | 2015
29 May 2015 Eyegum Secret House Party Round 23: Graeme Jefferies/Cakekitchen ($10) Innermost Gardens, Mt Victoria, Wellington (click on Facebook event link to see map) A small group of musicians from Gamelan Padhang Moncar performed their inspired take on the traditional Javanese musical style at 9pm. The main bill was Graeme Jefferies who has been described by NZMusician magazine as being “one of New Zealand’s most successful ex-pat rock musicians” filling venues in Chicago and Moscow, yet relatively unknown in his home country of New Zealand. At the core of seminal Flying Nun Records bands Nocturnal Projections,This Kind of Punishment and The Cakekitchen, Graeme’s work has spanned the last 40 years. Microsoft Voices are incredibly difficult to pigeon hole, containing members of Orchestra of Spheres, The All Seeing Hand and a host of other killer outfits. This crew are the real deal. Graeme Jefferies/The Cakekitchen 11:00 Microsoft Voices 10:00 Gamelan Padhang Moncar...
by Jo Hilder | May 24, 2015 | 2015
Sunday 24 May, 2pm St Andrews on the Terrace A celebration of the life of Jack Body, long-time gamelan manager and worker of wonders, was held at St Andrews on the Terrace, Wellington. Gamelan Padhang Moncar were honoured to perform traditional Javanese music at the beginning and end of the concert. Our director, Budi S. Putra, performed macapat (traditional Javanese vocal form). The concert featured chamber works by Jack performed by the NZ String Quartet, Anna Pierard, Linden Loader, Martin Riseley, Mere Boynton, Jian Liu, and Baroque Voices, chosen by Jack himself. There were also several moving eulogies. A recording of this concert was broadcast on Concert FM on Sound Lounge. Link to more recordings of Jack Body on RNZ...
by Jo Hilder | May 7, 2015 | 2015
Thursday 7 May We were delighted to play welcoming music for the Wellington Launch of “Jack! Celebrating Jack Body, composer”, edited by Jennifer Shennan, Gillian Whitehead & Scilla Askew. See video of the event here. Jack was fundamental in the development of gamelan in New Zealand, acting as manager for the Gamelan Padhang Moncar for many years, introducing many composition students to gamelan music and fostering the composition of new works for gamelan. This beautiful volume celebrates his 70th birthday and unswerving commitment to New Zealand music by bringing together an astounding collection of memories, photos, paintings, art and music from around 120 friends, colleagues, students and family. …this book gives us many … instances of the essence of Body’s particular no-holds-barred brand of creativity….the sheer range and depth of his activities here presented is nothing short of revelatory – as fellow-composer Helen Bowater said about meeting him for the first time, it’s like “being struck by lightning – never the same again!”. Peter Mechen Middle C - read full review The contributors reflect Jack’s far-reaching connections throughout the world and particularly in Asia. They include: Geoff Chapple, Tan Dun, Gareth Farr, Gao Ping, David Harrington (Kronos Quartet), Margaret Nielsen, Richard Nunns, Roland Peelman (The Song Company), John Psathas, Budi Putra, Frederic Rzewski, Chinary Ung, Peter Walls and Ian Wedde. There are musical tributes from: Dame Gillian Whitehead, John Elmsly, Frederic Rzewski, Yuji Takahashi, José Evangelista, Somei Satoh, Dieter Mack and Ross Harris. Contributors on Jack and gamelan are: Marie Direen, Gareth Farr, Joko Susilo, Budi Putra, Pippa Strom, Yudane, Megan Collins, Juliet Palmer, Judith Exley, Jo Hilder. Other gamelan players and Indonesian...
by Jo Hilder | Jan 31, 2016 | eventYear
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by Jo Hilder | Nov 4, 2013 | 2013
Monday 4 November 2013, 7pm Adam Concert Room, NZ School of Music Three Gamelan groups based at Te Koki New Zealand School of Music gave a concert which incorporated the final assessment recital for students taking the PERF 250: Gamelan Performance paper. Programme: PERF 250 students: Lancaran Kebo Giro Pelog Barang Lancaran Naraca Slendro Manyura Lancaran Budalan Pelog Nem. Ngripto Raras Gamelan Group (Indonesian community gamelan): Lancaran Gugur Gunung (Working Together) Gamelan Padhang Moncar: Ketawang Layung Ladrang Mugirahayu Nusantara...
by Jo Hilder | Aug 11, 2013 | 2013
Sunday 11 August 2013, 6:00pm Adam Concert Room, NZSM Gamelan Padhang Moncar presented a programme of new works, fresh from their tour of Java: Volcano song by Annika Naschitski Clockwork Dancer by Briar Prastiti Naga by Tristan Carter Two Transcriptions by Anton Killin: i. Homage to Bela; ii. Saw and Canon Lagu Improvisasi by Anton Killin Green River by Jack Hooker De la Noche, De la Muerte (Of Night, Of Death) by Briar Prastiti Nusantara Indah by Dedek...
by Jo Hilder | Aug 9, 2013 | 2013
Friday 9 August 2013, 12.10pm Adam Concert Room, NZSM Gamelan Taniwha Jaya presented a programme of new works, fresh from their debut in Bali: From shadows by Anton Killin Delirious Euphoria by Briar Prastiti Padhasapa by Jason Erskine SZUNN by Jack Hooker Stay - Tinggal by Megan Collins Headrush by Gareth Farr...
by Jo Hilder | Jul 1, 2013 | 2013, Highlights GPM, Highlights GTJ
1-21 July 2013 Gamelan Padhang Moncar and Gamelan Taniwha Jaya toured Indonesia presenting new works by Gareth Farr, Briar Prastiti, Jason Erskine, Anton Killin, Jack Hooker, Tristan Carter, Megan Collins and Annika Naschitski. Listen to Jack Body and Gareth Farr talking about the tour on Radio New Zealand Concert. We performed a programme of new compositions at the Yogyakarta International Gamelan Festival (Sunday 7 July). We also participated in a number of joint concerts at schools and universities in Yogya, Solo and Malang, and performed at the Car-Free Day in Solo on Sunday 14 July. Gamelan Taniwha Jaya debuted in Bali at Bentara Budaya Bali on Thursday 18 July performing new compositions for Balinese Gong Kebyar in a joint concert with Gamelan Gita Asmara (from Canada) and Wrdhi Swaram and Salukat (from Bali). The tour was led by Budi Putra (our director) and Jack Body (our manager). Itinerary: Tues 2 July - Gamelan Padhang Moncar Concert - Anjungan Jawa Tengah, Taman Mini Indonesia Indah 1pm-2:30pm Sat 6 July - Gamelan Padhang Moncar Joint concert - Universitas Gajah Mada, Yogyakarta, 1-3pm Sun 7 July - Gamelan Padhang Moncar and Gamelan Taniwha Jaya concert at Yogyakarta Gamelan Festival (evening) Wed 10 July - Gamelan Padhang Moncar Joint concert - SMPN 10 Solo (intermediate school) - 8-10pm Thur 11 July - Gamelan Padhang Moncar Joint concert - SMKN (Arts high school), Solo - 8-10pm Sun 14 July - Gamelan Padhang Moncar Concert at Car Free Day, Slamet Riyadi, Solo (early morning) Mon 15 July - Gamelan Padhang Moncar Joint concert with University of Malang at UNIBRAW (evening), Malang Thur 18 July -...
by Jo Hilder | Nov 24, 2013 | Highlights GPM
The sound crew from ‘The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug’ sought us out in late 2013 to record some elements that were included in the soundtrack. Check out the ‘behind the scenes’ footage at about 7 minutes in to this production diary...
by Jo Hilder | May 11, 2013 | 2013
Saturday May 11, 2013 - 1:30pm Trade Aid Store, Victoria St, Wellington A small group from Gamelan Padhang Moncar performed as part of Fair Trade Day.
by Jo Hilder | Feb 18, 2012 | Highlights GTJ
In 2012, Gamelan Taniwha Jaya collaborated with local electronic band, Minuit, to perform arrangements of some of their best-known songs, arranged by Jason Erskine. Minuit comprised lead singer, Ruth Carr, with Paul Dodge and Ryan Beehre playing machines and disbanded in 2014. The show was performed live at the Wellington Homegrown Festival in February and then at WOMAD in March. at WOMAD (Photo: Dominika Zielinska) at Homegrown Gamelan Taniwha Jaya rehearsal with local band Minuit Already well known for their energetic live shows, Minuit say “it’s definitely been a challenge adding twelve more players to the band, but its completely kickass! Why didnt we do it before? Oh that’s right, we need a small truck to move everyone”. from Amplifier Radio New Zealand broadcast a segment documenting the project: Gamelan Taniwha Jaya collaboration with local Wellington band, Minuit - 2012 GTJ performers: Gangsas: Rupert Snook, Anton Killin, Jacqui Stowers and Jack Hooker Reyong: Jason Erskine, Gareth Farr, Jo Hilder and Tristan Carter Jublag: Briar Prastiti and Mike Jones Gongs: Carina Esguerra Kempli: Clare Tattersall Ceng-ceng: James...
by Jo Hilder | Mar 22, 2013 | 2013
Friday 22 March 2013, 12:45pm St Paul’s Cathedral Gamelan Padhang Moncar presented classical repertoire featuring vocals, suling (flute) and violin in the beautiful acoustic of the Cathedral. Listen below to a live recording from this concert of Ladrang Wigena. ...
by Jo Hilder | Mar 16, 2013 | 2013
Saturday 16 March 2013 Wellington Waterfront near Te Papa Gamelan Padhang Moncar presented some fun songs at 4:30pm and 6:30pm to an appreciative crowd. Our participation was supported by the AsiaNZ...
by Jo Hilder | Mar 1, 2013 | 2013
First Sunday in March, April and May 2013 Adam Concert Room, NZ School of Music, Kelburn Campus The NZ Indonesia Association in combination with Gamelan Padhang Moncar presented a documentary film series by Dutch filmmaker Leonard Retel Helmrich. This was partly a fundraiser for our upcoming gamelan tour to Indonesia in July 2013 performing a programme of new works by NZ composers in many centres, including the International Gamelan Festival in Yogyakarta. Each screening was preceded by a short performance by one or more of the following ensembles: Gamelan Padhang Moncar Gamelan Taniwha Jaya Gamelan Ngripto Raras (Indonesian community...
by Jo Hilder | Feb 9, 2013 | 2013
9 February 2013 A small group of six musicians from Gamelan Padhang Moncar presented an afternoon concert and workshop and an evening concert at this festival held at Kawai Purapura, Auckland. Featuring Budi Putra (director, male vocals) and Briar Prastiti (female vocals), Greg Street (rebab and kemanak), Jo Hilder (gender), Jason Erskine (kendhang) and Helen O’Rourke (slenthem)....
by Jo Hilder | Oct 21, 2012 | 2012
Sunday October 21, 2012 Adam Concert Room, NZ School of Music A combined concert featuring Gamelan Padhang Moncar with gamelan students of PERF250, the Indonesian Community Gamelan Ngripto Raras and Nice Pisan (angklung...
by Jo Hilder | Oct 14, 2012 | 2012
Sunday October 14, 2012 Old Town Hall, Wellington Gamelan Padhang Moncar presented a new work, NUSATANARA INDAH (The Beauty of Islands,) composed by Dedek Wahyudi, a well known Javanese musician who created many new gamelan works in the late 1990s. The work combined new gamelan pieces and songs into an opera ensemble, all in the pelog scale. Gamelan Taniwha Jaya, our sister Balinese ensemble, also performed two works in the Gong Kebyar style and composed in the early 20th century by one of the most famous Balinese composers, I Wayan Lotring: Kompyang and Sekar...
by Jo Hilder | May 12, 2012 | 2012
Saturday 12 May, 2012 12 noon Wellington Trade Aid Shop A small (gadon) group from Gamelan Padhang Moncar performed Ketawang Kinanthi Sandung and Ketawang Asmarandana to support World Fair Trade Day and coffee and tea-growers in Java and Sumatra. This was followed by Megan Collins performing “Kaba Iniak Mudo” - a story about a tiger presented through kaba, Sumatran sung story-telling with rabab pasisia. Wellington’s Mayor, Celia Wade-Brown, also spoke about Fair Trade. Budi S. Putra plays...
