Saptana + Lambang Sari “Sound Refrections Javanese Gamelan Music Classic and Modern”

Saptana + Lambang Sari

Sound Refrections Javanese Gamelan Music Classic and Modern

Private pressing/Kojima Recordings (Japan) 1984

LM-1473 (Japan) w/insert.

sleeve : NM-(very slightly wear on corner.)

media : EX+/EX(some slightly noises.)

This is an album released in 1984 by the Japanese gamelan performance group Lambang Sari, featuring the Indonesian gamelan artist Saptana. Saptana, a gamelan performer from Indonesia, was invited to collaborate on this project. He hails from Solo, known as the Mecca of gamelan art, where he underwent training in music, dance, and shadow puppetry. Afterward, he served as a visiting professor at Tokyo University of the Arts from 1979 onwards. The album showcases original gamelan compositions by Saptana that reflect classical influences. It features a performance by a total of 24 Japanese musicians, with Saptana demonstrating various instruments, including the bonang, a small metallic drum with multiple rows, the rebab, a bowed string instrument, and the Kendang, a double-headed drum. The music carries the signature leisurely flow of court gamelan, with the shimmering sounds of metallic percussion instruments and the mellow tones of woodwind percussion instruments. Yukio Kojima, known for his recording work, did not participate in the recording process but was responsible for the manufacturing of the record. Nevertheless, the sound quality is truly splendid. This is a valuable piece.

A2: Gending SINOM