Indonesian (gamelan) Ensemble (MUS 125, MSEN 203-03, Gamelan Raga Kusuma)
Lancaran Serayu. MSEN 203-03, Gamelan Raga Kusuma. Javanese gamelan melody in the short lancaran form. Composed in the late 1970s, taught to the UR ensemble by Danis Sugiyanto, visiting artist. The lyrics describe the beauty of a mystical lake.
Lancaran Majulah Negeriku. MUS 125, Gamelan Raga Kusuma. Danis Sugiyanto, composer. A piece about national pride, written in 2024.
Ladrang Sumyar. Gamelan Raga Kusuma. Traditional Javanese court music, featuring singer Peni Candra Rini.
Balinese Kecak Demonstration. Traditional chant from Bali, taught to MUS 125 and MSEN 203-03 by Gusti Sudarta.
West African (djembe) Ensemble (MSEN 203-02, Creative Hands Drum Ensemble)
Soli Des Manian. A traditional rhythm of the Manian of Guinea (Kayes Region). Soli accompanies the rituals of initiation and circumcision for boys as well as girls. Even though circumcision is often done in the hospital today, the rhythm still marks the transition to adulthood. The change of rhythm from the slow to the fast part depends on which song is sung. When the slow Soli (Soli Lent) is played, the old people may dance, too.
Soko. A traditional rhythm of the Malinke. The rhythm accompanies the dance of bilakoros (non-circumcised children). In some regions it’s played during the months before circumcision. After the village elders have decided the date of the circumcision, the imminence of this event must be announced. For this reason,
the children go from village to village to notify their relatives about the event. When they arrive in each village, Soko is played.
Kassa. A traditional rhythm of the Malinke of Northeast Guinea. Kassa is a harvest-dance. The word means granary. During harvest-time the farmers go to the fields. During the day, the drummers play Kassa to support the workers in the fields. It is said farming cannot be done without drummers’ rhythm support, and the harvest is shared with drummers and farmers. At the end of the harvest, they all have a celebration in the village, called Kassalodon.
Indian Classical Music (MSAP 182)
“Kun Fa Yakun,” a Sufi song, describes the power of divine manifestation and the immediacy of providence. The song was popularized by the Oscar-winning music director A.R. Rahman. Based on Raga Bilawal and Tala Keherva, the Sufi song will be presented by Noor Kaifee (sitar), Mudit Jha (voice), Ananad Keskar (tabla) and Nirmal Bajekal (harmonium).
Brazilian Ensemble (MSEN 195)
Four songs by Chico Buarque
Guitarist and singer Chico Buarque (b. Rio de Janeiro, 1944) is Brazil’s most prolific and creative living composer of popular music. He’s also a novelist, non-fiction writer, poet, activist, children’s author, playwright and film music composer.
Joana Francesa (waltz, 1973) Arrangement: K. Harding. This romantic, intimate piece has lyrics that shift between French and Portuguese, highlighting long-standing linguistic and musical exchanges between the two nations.
Carolina (samba-canção, 1967) Arrangement in choro style: K. Harding
Valsa Brasileira (waltz co-written with Edu Lobo, 1988)
Arrangement: K. Harding. A melodically, harmonically and poetically complex tune about the search for love.
Homenagem ao Malandro (samba, 1978) Buarque has long championed the samba as a vehicle for social commentary and criticism of malfeasance and corruption in government. Here he points at an array of modern malandros (rogues, scoundrels) who he says are to be found artfully disguised throughout society: in government, in corporations, on commuter trains, etc. Ironically, the term malandro was used by authorities to describe early samba musicians in the 1920s.
Taiko Ensemble (MSEN 203-01, River City Taiko)
Buchiawase-Daiko (UR Taiko Ensemble). Buchiawase is a traditional piece from the Miura Peninsula near Tokyo. Buchiawase is sometimes called “Kenka-Daiko” (“fighting drums”), as drummers in Miura compete to see who can play the song more energetically.
Tabi no Omoi (River City Taiko). Translated as “Remembrance of Travels,” this is a modern composition by Marco Lienhard of Taikoza. For many years, Lienhard toured internationally as a member of Ondekoza, a group that helped to popularize taiko as concert music.
Hiryū Sandan Gaeshi / Isamigoma (River City Taiko and UR Taiko Ensemble). Hiryū Sandan Gaeshi / Isamigoma was written by Daihachi Oguchi. Founding the group Osuwa Daiko in 1951, Oguchi played a pivotal role in the creation of modern taiko. Hiryū is based on kagura (temple music) invoking the flying dragon (hiryū) associated with Osuwa Shrine. The dragon descends three times, and the number three (san) recurs throughout the song. Isamigoma – “galloping horses” – evokes horses carrying samurai into battle.
