Ngudi Raras, a group of master Javanese musicians is touring the United States in 2018. They will be performing as a “gadhon,” or chamber ensemble at 11 different institutions throughout the US.
The tour presents traditional Javanese “klenèngan,” concert-style performances with a relaxed atmosphere. Ngudi Raras will play “klenèngan bébas,” spontaneous performance with no preparation as to which pieces will be chosen or how they will be interpreted. To do this, the musicians must have the entire repertoire internalized, know each instrument’s part and how they relate, and listen for subtle musical cues as the piece unfolds in performance.
Ngudi Raras members:
Wakidi Dwidjomartono
Mulyani Soepono (Musician at the Kasunanan court, Solo)
Darsono Hadiraharjo (Artist-in-Residence at Bates College and Tufts University, 2017/2018)
Paimin (Ki Anom Soeroto’s wayang troupe musician)
Sularno Martowiyono (Musician at the Mangkunegaran court, Solo)
Sri Mulyana (Faculty member at Institut Kesenian Indonesia Solo)