GAMELAN

Gamelan Taniwha Jaya is a group of Wellington musicians who regularly perform the music of Bali, on a set of instruments purchased by Gareth Farr in 2003.

The gamelan is the traditional percussion orchestra of Indonesia, and Bali’s Gong Kebyar style is music of exciting unpredictable rhythms, and wild dynamic contrasts. Entirely comprised of bronze metallophones and gongs, it has a vibrant and complex sound, and the music shimmers and pulses with a broad range of sound from tiny high tinkling metallophones all the way down to massive booming gongs.

Gamelan Taniwha Jaya was launched in August 2003, and since then has been involved in many projects and performances, most recently ‘Bali Bash’ where they performed a programme of well known Balinese compositions, including Teruna Jaya and Manuk Rawa.

They will be performing with one of NZ’s most popular acts – Minuit – on February 18th 2012 on the Wellington waterfront, and at WOMAD 2012. This is a collaboration with arrangements by group member Jason Erskine, to many of their most well known songs.

http://www.taft.co.nz/womad/artists/Minuit.html

The ensemble is based at the New Zealand School of Music, Kelburn campus in Wellington and rehearsals are on Wednesdays from 6.15 to 8pm.  They encourage new members – all you need to do is turn up with a good sense of rhythm!

Members of the performing group are: Gareth Farr (musical director), Immanuel Dannenbring, Jason Erskine, Carina Esguerra, Jo Hilder, Jack Hooker, Mike Jones, Anton Killin, Briar Prastiti, James Rolfe, Rupert Snook, Jacqui Stowers, and Chris Wratt.

See also the website of Wellington’s Javanese gamelan, Gamelan Padhang Moncar -  http://www.gamelan.org.nz

	New Zealand School of Music’s introduction to Balinese gamelan. Performance students and members of Gamelan Taniwha Jaya perform Beratha’s ‘Manuk Rawa’.http://youtu.be/QdlUIfUJi_8
	Gamelan Taniwha Jaya