The free concert begins at 6 p.m. and is presented by the UK School of Music in the College of Fine Arts. The ensemble is joined by guest master artists I Made Lasmawan and Ni Ketut Marni, along with Gamelan Mojomanis of Indianapolis, led by Hirotaka Inuzuka. The newly formed UK Hawaiian Ensemble, led by graduate student Austin Young, will also perform.
The evening pairs two contrasting styles of Balinese gamelan. The UK ensemble plays the four-pitch gamelan angklung from Bali, while Gamelan Mojomanis performs on a gamelan gong kebyar, a style known for explosive rhythms and dramatic shifts in tempo and dynamics. The program features four dance pieces and the marching gamelan style called baleganjur, along with instrumental works both traditional and newly composed.
"Audiences will be able to see a full stage of friendly and engaged ‘dueling gamelans’ and witness a wonderful mixture of instrumental and dance pieces, both traditional and new compositions,” said Donna Kwon, director of the UK Balinese Gamelan and associate professor of ethnomusicology. “We are also thrilled to include the newly formed Hawaiian ensemble led by graduate student Austin Young.”
UK’s gamelan angklung was purchased in 2016, a decade after gamelan was first introduced to Kentucky by Dr. Kuo-Huang Han. Lasmawan later gave the instruments the name “Langen Kerti” in a special naming ceremony. The name draws on the initials of Lexington, Ky., and in Balinese means to enjoy a happy life, or to “follow your bliss.”
For Kwon, the anniversary is as much about people as instruments.
“We are so excited to celebrate our 10th anniversary of the purchase of our Balinese gamelan angklung set, but more than this, we are excited to celebrate our relationship to all of our teachers,” Kwon said. “These include Dr. Kuo-Huang Han, who first brought Balinese gamelan to Kentucky, as well as I Made Lasmawan and Ni Ketut Marni, the two master artists who have guided our program.”
The concert also brings a longtime connection full circle. Hirotaka and Anna Inuzuka, who lead Gamelan Mojomanis as artistic director and dance director, are among the artists and teachers the UK ensemble has learned from. Kwon said hosting their entire group for the first time is a milestone for the program.
“We are looking forward to sharing the stage with another set of artists and teachers, and we are so excited to be able to host their entire group, Gamelan Mojomanis, for the first time,” she said.
