Role

:

Ensemble

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Gamelan Sekar Kembar is a classical music ensemble that specializes in the traditional music of Bali, Indonesia. The group was founded in 1991 by I Nyoman Windha, a renowned Balinese composer and musician, and is based in the city of Denpasar. The ensemble's name, "Gamelan Sekar Kembar," translates to "twin flower gamelan," and refers to the group's unique instrumentation. The ensemble features two sets of gamelan instruments, which are traditional Indonesian percussion instruments made of bronze or iron. The first set, known as the "sekar," includes instruments such as the saron, gender, and gambang, while the second set, known as the "kembar," includes instruments such as the kendang, gong, and ceng-ceng. The ensemble's main members include I Nyoman Windha, who serves as the group's artistic director and composer, as well as a number of talented Balinese musicians who specialize in gamelan music. These musicians include I Made Subandi, I Wayan Gde Yudane, and I Ketut Suda. Over the years, Gamelan Sekar Kembar has performed at a number of prestigious venues and events, both in Indonesia and abroad. One of the group's most notable performances was at the 1995 Bali Arts Festival, where they were awarded the "Best Gamelan Group" prize. The ensemble has also performed at the World Music Festival in Tokyo, Japan, and the International Gamelan Festival in Amsterdam, Netherlands. In addition to their live performances, Gamelan Sekar Kembar has also released several albums of their music. These albums include "Gamelan Sekar Kembar," "Gamelan Bali: Music from the Morning of the World," and "Gamelan Semar Pegulingan: The Art of Courtly Music." One of the highlights of the ensemble's career was their collaboration with the renowned American composer Philip Glass. In 2004, Glass traveled to Bali to work with Gamelan Sekar Kembar on a new composition, which was later performed at the Bali Arts Festival. The collaboration was a success, and the resulting piece, "The Passion of Ramakrishna," was praised by critics for its innovative blend of Western and Balinese musical traditions. Overall, Gamelan Sekar Kembar has established itself as one of the premier gamelan ensembles in Indonesia and beyond. With their unique instrumentation, talented musicians, and innovative compositions, the group has helped to bring the traditional music of Bali to a wider audience, while also pushing the boundaries of the genre.

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