The NCH Gamelan Orchestra has released its debut single online. I composed Embat in 2014 to commemorate the gift of the NCH gamelan instruments from the Sultan of Yogyakarta. The piece was premiered in Ireland's National Concert Hall for the gamelan's inaugural naming ceremony during the sultan's royal visit in September of that year. Over the years it has been performed at music festivals across Ireland and Java.
'Embat' is available now for streaming and download from Bandcamp , Spotify, and iTunes.
The word "embat" is a Javanese word referring to the characteristic tuning differences which make each gamelan unique. The music uses traditional Yogykarta playing techniques to highlight the key features of the gamelan's tuning. The composition was inspired by the sounds of gamelan craftsmen forging a new gong which I filmed in Java in 2013.
Event: ICTMD Conference
Paper: “Tradisi Baru”: The NCH Gamelan Orchestra's First Ten Years
Venue: Dublin City University
Event: New Music Dublin Festival
Composition: Beyond Yourself for cello and gamelan (World Premiere with Martin Johnson)
Performers: NCH Gamelan Orchestra
Venue: National Concert Hall, Dublin
Event: UCD Trad Ensemble CD Launch
Performers: Paddy Glackin, UCD Trad Ensemble
Venue: The Sugar Club, Dublin
Event: UCD Composition Ensemble Concert
Venue: National Concert Hall, Dublin
Event: All-Ireland Gamelan Gathering
Performers: Cork, West Cork, Limerick, Belfast, NCH and UCD Gamelan Orchestras
Venue: University College Dublin
Event: NCH Gamelan Orchestra Concert
Composition: Beyond Yourself for cello and gamelan (with Martin Johnson)
Performers: NCH Gamelan Orchestra
Venue: National Concert Hall, Dublin
Event: NCH Gamelan Beginner Classes Concert
Venue: National Concert Hall, Dublin
