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...
by Jo Hilder | Mar 16, 2012 | 2012, Highlights GPM
16-18 March Gamelan performers from Wellington had a strong presence at WOMAD 2012 in New Plymouth with three shows presenting music from Java, Bali and Sumatra. Read an account here on the NZSM website. Wayang Kulit at WOMAD 2003 (Gamelan Padhang Moncar and Joko Susilo) at WOMAD (Photo: Dominika Zielinska) Joko Susilo and Megan Collins – Tiger Show Wayang Kulit (shadow puppetry) with Pak Joko Susilo Saturday 17 March on the Shell Gables Stage GPM Performers: Budi Putra (kendhang), Jo Hilder (gender barung), Greg Street (rebab, gender panerus), Jason Erskine (slenthem), Rupert Snook and Clare Tattersall (demung), Stephanie Cairns, Helen O’Rourke and Tristan Carter (saron), Judith Exley (saron panerus), Marie Direen (bonang barung), Jack Hooker (bonang panerus), Mike Jones (kenong), Alisa Hogan (kethuk), Pippa Strom and Carina Esguerra (gong, kempul), Juliet Palmer, Briar Prastiti and Annika Naschitzki (gerong/sindhen), Anton Killin (gambang) Minuit with Gamelan Taniwha Jaya Sunday 18 March on the Shell Gables Stage This new collaboration featured some of Minuit’s best-known songs with Balinese gamelan parts added by Jason Erskine. For more information, see here or listen here. GTJ performers: Rupert Snook, Anton Killin, Jacqui Stowers and Jack Hooker (gangsas); Jason Erskine, Gareth Farr, Jo Hilder and Tristan Carter (reyong); Briar Prastiti and Mike Jones (jublag); Carina Esguerra (gongs); Clare Tattersall (kempli); James Rolfe (ceng-ceng) “Kaba Iniak Mudo” Sumatran/Javanese tiger puppet show Saturday & Sunday 17 & 18 March in the Kidzone Joko Susilo (dalang) and Megan Collins (kaba, rabab pasisia, saluang, drums) with Bronwyn Poultney on Javanese genderand drums. We also had fun participating in the WOMAD parade. Thanks to the NZ School...
by Jo Hilder | Feb 18, 2012 | 2012
Saturday 18 February 2012 Jim Beam Homegrown Festival on the Wellington Waterfront Gamelan Taniwha Jaya (Balinese gamelan directed by Gareth Farr) appeared with Minuit in this new collaboration which featured some of Minuit’s best-known songs with Balinese gamelan parts added by Jason Erskine. For more information, see...
by Jo Hilder | Jan 29, 2012 | 2012
Sunday 29 January 2012 at the Long Hall, Pt Jerningham, Roseneath, 13b Maida Vale Rd. Joko Susilo (Javanese dalang) and Megan Collins presented ‘Kaba Iniak Mudo‘ with Wayang kulit Javanese) shadow puppets), Kaba (Sumatran song & story telling), and music from The First Smile (Cirebon gamelan). The show about tigers was much enjoyed by children aged 4 years and up. This was followed by an illustrated talk by Joko Susilo about his own training and experiences as a traditional puppeteer in Indonesia. Techniques and repertoire of wayang kulit were demonstrated with reference to the extensive collection of puppets brought with the Cirebon gamelan to New Zealand by Allan Thomas in...
by Jo Hilder | Oct 27, 2011 | 2011
Thursday 27 October 2011, 7pm Adam Concert Room, NZ School of Music, Kelburn Campus Gamelan Taniwha Jaya and students of PERF252/352 at the NZ School of Music under the direction of Gareth Farr presented a full programme of classic Balinese music for the first time in Wellington with a full ensemble. Programme: Beleganjur “Gamelan of walking warriors”, the gamelan beleganjur ensemble is a traditional funeral procession music – a far cry from the sombre funeral marches of Western cultures. The noisy ceng ceng (cymbals) and reong (pot gongs) are intended to frighten the demons away, so that the soul can leave the body in peace. Baris This is an arrangement of one of the most popular dance pieces in Bali - usually performed by a young boy, and often one of the first pieces a young dancer will learn. Its origin is from a warlike sacred dance, but is now secularised and intended to show off the virtuosity of the dancer. The angsel (break) is one of the more obvious features of this music – a recurring rhythmic accent where the dancer and musicians syncronise a jerky sudden gesture. Kompyang There are two very common Balinese techniques on display in this piece – a melodic technique (empat – ‘four’) where half of the players play the melody four notes higher than the others – and kotekan (flowers) an elaborating technique where the players play patterns that interlock with each other. Sekar Gendot Written in 1927 by one of the most famous Balinese composers, I Wayan Lotring, Sekar Gendot was originally for the much smaller ensemble that accompanies the shadow...
by Jo Hilder | Jun 12, 2011 | 2011
Sunday 12 June 2011, 5pm Adam Concert Room, New Zealand School of Music, Kelburn Campus Gamelan Padhang Moncar performed with students of PERF 250 (Gamelan Performance) and an Indonesian community choir. Programme: Students: Lancaran Pambuka slendro manyura Ketawang Parisuka pelog nem Ladrang Mugirahayu slendro manyura Gamelan Padhang Moncar Shalawat Badar (arr. B. Putra, with Indonesian community choir) Gendhing Bedayan Lobong ketuk 2 kerep minggah ladrang Kandamanyura Lelagon Swara Suling pelog nem Sesaji (by Budi...
by Jo Hilder | Apr 16, 2011 | 2011
Saturday 16 April 2011 Wellington Waterfront (Shed 6) Gamelan Padhang Moncar accompanied Dunedin-based dhalang Joko Susilo in presenting wayang kulit (traditional Javanese shadow puppetry) at the Southeast Asian Night Market in two short shows. Joko presented the story “Gathutkaca Sungging” with pelog gamelan, featuring gerong (vocal chorus) and sindhen (female vocals) - gara-gara included Swara suling and Lelagon Prau Layar (AKA Praon). Performers: Joko Susilo (dhalang) Budi Putra (gamelan director) Annika Naschitzki, Anton Killin, Blake Johnston, Briar Prastiti, Carina Esguerra, Greg Street, Helen O’Rourke, Jack Hooker, Jason Erskine, Jo Hilder, Judith Exley, Megan Collins, Mike Jones, Noel Meek, Pippa Strom, Rani Allan, Rupert Snook, Stephanie Cairns, Tristan Carter This event was kindly supported by the Asia:NZ Foundation and the Embassy of the Republic of...
by Jo Hilder | Mar 29, 2011 | 2011
Sunday 29 March 2011 Mount Roskill War Memorial Park, Auckland Gamelan Padhang Moncar performed twice at this day-long cultural...
by Jo Hilder | Mar 5, 2011 | 2011
Saturday 5 March 2011 Wellington Zoo, Newtown, Wellington Gamelan Padhang Moncar provided background music for this event to raise money for the new sun bear enclosure at the zoo, as well as for Free the Bears Asia, helping to protect threatened bears...
by Jo Hilder | Dec 4, 2010 | 2010
Saturday 4 December 2010, 11am-4pm Indonesian Embassy, 70 Glen Road, Kelburn, Wellington Gamelan Padhang Moncar and Gamelan Taniwha Jaya performed twice as part of this successful (and sunny) fundraising event for the victims of natural disasters in Indonesia (Mt Merapi eruption and Mentawai...
by Jo Hilder | Nov 20, 2010 | 2010
Saturday 20 November 2010, 6-8pm Massey University Museum Building, Great Hall Gamelan Padhang Moncar was part of Musicircus in the Blow Creative Arts Festival run by the College of Creative Arts/Toi Rauwharangi, Massey University,...
by Jo Hilder | Oct 17, 2010 | 2010
Sunday 17 October 2010, 7pm Adam Concert Room, NZSM, Victoria University Campus This was a concert of Balinese gamelan music and compositions by I Wayan Gde Yudane, one of Bali’s most innovative of composers. Wayan Yudane’s music has been performed throughout the world and includes collaborations with Temps Fort Theatre, France and Cara Bali Group, Munich, Germany. Performed by Gamelan Taniwha Jaya and NZSM students of PERF 252/352. Programme: Gambang Kuta Liar Samas excerpts from Kosalia Arini New works by Yudane: Temporal Paradox for violin, viola and Gamelan Bali Causality for piano, four...
by Jo Hilder | Sep 26, 2010 | 2010
Sunday 26 September 2010, 7-9pm Adam Concert Room, NZSM, Victoria University Campus This concert of Indonesian music and dance from West Sumatra featured percussion, dance and song in traditional music and dance and innovative new compositions created by leading Minangkabau composers and choreographers. Elizar Koto, Asril Muchtar, Oktavianus Binahmad, Denny Maiyosta and company (senior West Sumatran musicians and dancers from Sumatra’s major arts institute, ISI Padang Pajang) visited Wellington for one week. As well as the performance above, they gave a workshop and concert at Te Papa on Saturday 25 September, and a dance and a music workshop at Victoria University of Wellington on Monday 27 September. In a stimulating week-long programme in Wellington, the visiting Minangkabau troupe from Sumatra, Indonesia, gave performances at Te Papa, and at the Adam Concert Room, as well as a series of workshops at VUW. Their programme combined sung and instrumental music with dance and martial arts in a way that makes our separation of these art forms seem artificial. Local ethnomusicologist Megan Collins, and her mentor Jack Body, have a long involvement with studies of the arts of Indonesia. The Embassy’s continuing support of these activities, particularly the gamelan orchestra, was again highlighted by their sponsoring of these visitors. Performers from the cultural training centre, ISI Padangpanjang, enter the stage with a quiet confidence and easy discipline of movement that bodes well for what follows. Their stylized hand, arm, leg and foot positions have such smooth transitions that they seem easy, but “seem” would be the operative word. Clean, clear postures require an innate sense of balance, and the randai martial art...
