Commissions to Dion Nataraja, Willyday Onamlay, Wahyu Thoyyib Pambayun & Yustiawan Paradigma Umar

Four composers are creating new works for Javanese gamelan, a traditional bronze percussion ensemble from Java (Indonesia), for the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz. The pieces will be prepared, rehearsed and premiered in Yogyakarta.

The term ‘Javanese gamelan’ refers to a type of orchestra from Central Java in Indonesia, consisting mainly of bronze percussion instruments, including other instruments such as kendhang (double-sided drums), suling (bamboo flute), gambang (xylophone), rebab (a bowed lute) and vocals. For most of its history, gamelan composers were anonymous, and new pieces were attributed to the ruling monarch. In the 1970s, a new generation of students at STSI Surakarta (now ISI: Institute of Indonesian Arts) began experimenting with gamelan, discovering new sounds and ways of composing, and paving the way for younger composers.

The four composers Dion Nataraja, Willyday Onamlay, Wahyu Thoyyib Pambayun and Yustiawan Paradigma Umar explore extended techniques and question old ways of playing the instruments. The commissioned works, made possible by the Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation, are being composed for the Sandikala Ensemble, a gamelan group from Yogyakarta dedicated to performing new works for gamelan.

Further information:
kug.ac.at

Date

September 13, 2025
Concert Hall of ISI Yogyakarta