Gamelan Music of West Java
Lolongkrang
Pusaka Sunda
Featuring Burhan Sukarma and Undang SumarnaYear released: 1994 Sakti Records
About
Lolongkrang is Pusaka Sunda's debut recording and features compositions mainly from the degung klasik (classical) repertoire, with the exception of Lolongkrang, composed by Burhan Sukarma and Bulan Sapasi, composed by Gugum Gumbira.
The Pieces
Lolongkrang – Burhan Sukarma arranged this new work using traditional and modern degung materials as well as parts derived from other genres of Sundanese music. The word lolongkrang means “a space between two other things”. The piece Lolongkrang describes a place between “war and peace” or “melancholy and joy”.
Palsiun – Palsiun is in the “classical” degung style, which is characterized by’ simple drumming, intense heterophony among the bronze instruments, and phrases (marked with strokes of the large gong) of irregular lengths.
Bulan Sapasi – this song, composed by Sundanese innovator Gugum Gumbira, describe an evening lit by the half-moon.
Ujung Laut / Sinyur – Ujung Laut is another piece in classical style; it is typical in modern performance practice to transition from a classical piece into a panambih (“extra piece”), in which the bronze instruments play simple, stereotyped parts while the suling and drum players improvise.
Puloganti – This modern composition’s title means “changing island” and evokes the upheaval of the Indonesian revolution and independence.
Sorban Palid – This popular song has been recorded in many arrangements; Pusaka Sunda’s version is purely instrumental, featuring the expressive voice of the suling.
Mangari / Cirebonan – Mangari is another piece in the classical style followed by a panambih.
Gawil – Traditionally, Gawil is played on gamelan salendro to accompany a particular dance. Pusaka Sunda performs this piece in the sorog tuning and features elaborate kendang improvisations.
Mayaselas / Kaleran – These two stately pieces provide a backdrop for florid suling improvisations and set a peaceful mood.
The Performers
Burhan Sukarma is first and foremost a virtuoso on the suling, (end-blown bamboo flute). As a soloist for the prestigious national radio station, RRI Bandung, on countless Indonesian recordings (many of which have been distributed internationally), and on tours to France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Canada, and the United States, Burhan has expanded the suling's role as a solo instrument. His ability to make this simple instrument produce soulful, expressive melodic lines that speak across cultural boundaries has earned him an international reputation.
Undang Sumarna the featured kendang virtuoso of Pusaka Sunda is renowned for his Sundanese drumming. Undang learned the complex art of Sundanese dance drumming from his grandfather, the legendary Abah Kayat, in Bandung. Since 1974, Undang has taught gamelan at the University of California, Santa Cruz. During these years, he has introduced hundreds of American students to Sundanese music, as well as toured throughout the United States as an "Ambassador of Sundanese arts".
The members of Pusaka Sunda who perform on this recording are: Andrew Bouchard, Colleen Donovan, Daniel Kelley, Kenneth Miller, Henry Spiller, Rae Ann Stahl, Burhan Sukarma, Undang Sumarna, Linda Wegner, and Bill Welch.
Credits
Produced by Burhan Sukarma, Rae Ann Stahl
Recorded to DAT by William Coulter
Digital Mastering by Vince Sanchez
Graphic Design by CompuType
Photography by Debbie Cain
CD notes by Henry Spiller, Rae Ann Stahl
© 1994 Shakti Records
Recorded to DAT by William Coulter
Digital Mastering by Vince Sanchez
Graphic Design by CompuType
Photography by Debbie Cain
CD notes by Henry Spiller, Rae Ann Stahl
© 1994 Shakti Records