modern drummer
December 1995
19902 THE MUSIC OF CAMBODIA
(3 CD BOXED SET) - VARIOUS ARTISTS
An ambitious three–CD document, this box set is of interest to
students of ethnomusicology or to "Planet Drum" enthusiasts
who seek inspiration from rarely heard percussion instruments. In Volume
One, 9 Gong Gamelan, rice farmers from the province of Siem Riep
perform their ancient music in the historic temple of Angkor Watt. The
Ensemble, called a "Taam Ming," revolves around an instrument
of nine tuned kettle–shaped gongs suspended in a semicircle around
the player. This instrument, dating back to the twelfth century, is
not technically a gamelan, but is closely related to that Javanese cousin.
Volume Two, Royal Court Music, features studio recordings of
master ensembles interpreting early Cambodian classical and popular
forms. Again, percussion plays a major role, including bamboo and rosewood
xylophones called "roneat," which are played in tandem, and
two sets of nineteen–gong circular–framed instruments also
played in tandem. Volume Three, although not percussion oriented, features
fascinating solo pieces on indigenous instruments.
At three and one half hours, it's not for the casual listener, and
to Western ears it's an acquired taste. But these expressive and rare
voices have an undeniable importance in the world family of percussion.
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