by Jo Hilder | Oct 19, 2018 | 2018
Visiting artists from Sunda, Orokaya, recently visited Wellington for a few days to perform and give workshops and demonstrations. Here are some videos from an informal performance in the Asia Pacific Music Studio at the NZ School of Music for members of Gamelan Padhang Moncar. Thanks to Carina Esguerra for the...
by Jo Hilder | Sep 21, 2018 | 2018
Money raised in New Zealand sent to Cirebon following gamelan tragedy In Gegesik Village, Cirebon Regency, in Java, a tragedy occurred at a gamelan practice on 14 May, 2018, when a wall collapsed on a group of young musicians, killing seven people including their dhalang, Bapak Suherman. The first gamelan to arrive in New Zealand had been brought here by Allan Thomas in 1974. Allan died in 2010 but The First Smile gamelan is still regularly played by his colleagues and friends in Wellington. It seemed impossible for us to do nothing from this distance, so a wayang kulit by dhalang Dr. Joko Susilo and Gamelan Padhang Moncar, directed by Pak Budi Putra, was the central part of a fund-raiser held at New Zealand School of Music at Victoria University of Wellington, and supported by Ambassador H.E. Mr. Tantowi Yahya and the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia. See more information, including photos and videos of the show here. All those who participated, to send support to the families involved in this tragic incident, will be pleased to hear that the sum raised (NZ$3000) has been safely delivered to the widow of Dhalang Suherman and members of Sanggar Hidayat Jati (The True Guidance Studio in East Gegesik village). The donation was delivered by Benjamin Seilhamer, a student and colleague of Richard North, and a member of Gamelan Sinar Surya (Cirebon gamelan), at Santa Barbara, California. Ben was in Cirebon studying and performing Tarling Klasik (Cirebon gamelan pieces played on guitar and suling (flute), with an elder Tarling master, Mama Djana Partanain). The following messages have been received: An expression...
by Jo Hilder | Sep 1, 2018 | 2018
Saturday 1 September, 2018 AUT City Campus, 55 Wellesley St East, Auckland Music, dance, wayang kulit (shadow theatre), food. We were honoured to take part in this festival and perform on the new Javanese gamelan from the AUT Indonesian Centre (AUTIC). In addition to performing a short recital, we accompanied Ki Joko Susilo for a short wayang kulit show and accompanied a dance group from Jakarta led by Martini Tri Murjoko performing Tari Kayungyun (see video below). Ki Joko Susilo Tari Kayungyun Auckland Gamelan Shiny new gongs Accompanying wayang from ‘the wrong...
by Jo Hilder | Jun 30, 2018 | 2018
Saturday 30 June 2018Ki Joko Susilo with Gamelan Padhang Moncarin the Adam Concert Room (NZSM, Victoria University of Wellington).$30/adult - all proceeds were sent to Cirebon Ambassador Tantowi Yahya and Jack Hooker – opening act! Ki Joko Susilo in action Children enjoying the action Ki Joko Susilo and Gamelan Padhang Moncar This fund-raising event was sparked by a tragedy in Cirebon in April this year when a wall adjacent to the rehearsal space collapsed on top of the players, killing seven youngsters, aged between 12 –15 years, and their teacher, dhalang Mas Herman Basari. The $3000 raised reached the community in September 2018. Read more. The Cirebon area of Northwest Java is dear to our hearts. Allan Thomas brought the first gamelan to New Zealand from Cirebon in 1974. You can read about the history and about these instruments on our site by following the links. Later named The First Smile, the ensemble is still played by a local Wellington group who spear-headed this fund-raising campaign to send support to Gegesik village and families affected by the tragedy who plan to purchase a new gamelan dedicated to the memory of those who died. Thanks to Te Koki New Zealand School of Music, Victoria University of Wellington Embassy of The Republic of Indonesia...
by Jo Hilder | May 31, 2018 | 2018
Thursday 31 May 2018, 6pm Thistle Hall Walking in Forest / Ocean / River was a week-long event featuring VR, Dance, and Projections (from 28 May to 3 June). Gamelan Padhang Moncar provided live music on Thursday evening including Judith Exley‘s most recent composition for gamelan instruments . “Forest Whispers” was composed for an event at the School of Oriental and Asian Studies at the University of London in 2014. This performance was its NZ premiere. It features four gamelan instruments (including gong) and violin (played by Tristan Carter) - an adaptation from the original that featured cello. Our director, Budi S. Putra, also performed macapat song accompanied by Tristan...
by Jo Hilder | Mar 24, 2018 | 2018
Gathutkaca Gugur - The Fall of Gathutkaca Wayang Kulit with Ki Joko Susilo (dhalang) and Gamelan Padhang Moncar in the Hannah Courtyard @ CubaDupa Saturday 24 March 2018, 8pm Joko Susilo presented The Fall of Gathutkaca in a village atmosphere, outdoors in the Hannah Courtyard near Cuba Street, accompanied by Gamelan Padhang Moncar. Despite the rain, a spot under cover near Goldings bar was found and an enthusiastic audience enjoyed a 90 minute show and clamoured for more. Review … a riveting Javanese wayang kulit shadow puppet show by dhalang Joko Susilo, effortlessly accompanied by the local Gamelan Padhang Moncar. The astonishingly dance-like arm movements of the puppets was a revelation of this dhalang’s expertise. - Jennifer Shennan (Michelle Potter … on dancing) Brief synopsis of the story: As the war between the royal cousins Pandawa and Korawa rages on, Prince Abimanyo is killed. Furious, Gathutkaca heads into battle, bidding his pregnant wife Pergiwa farewell. Tragically, Gathutkaca is slain by the magic arrow called Wijayan Danu. Carina Esguerra on gong Ki Joko Susilo Kindly supported by a grant from the Asia New Zealand Foundation....
