Concerts of Harjito's Compositions

Friday, October 4, 2024 at 8pm, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT
Saturday, October 5, 2024 at 7:30 pm Asia Society, NY City

In Collaboration with Wesleyan University and Asia Society 

The American Indonesian Cultural and Educational Foundation (AICEF)  sponsored two major performances of works for gamelan by I.M. Harjito, a master of Indonesia’s central Javanese classical gamelan tradition and currently University Professor of Music at Wesleyan University. The concert featured 4 compositions in traditional gamelan style and a suite of compositions featuring gamelan and instruments from other world music traditions (Irish fiddle, Chinese erhu, Scottish bagpipes, and a string quintet). AICEF also commissioned Harjito to write a special piece which premiered at the concerts: “Lancaran Amerika”. AICEF made this  work available to all the gamelan groups in the US, hoping it will be part of their standard repertoire.

For these concerts Javanese gamelan teachers from across the US participated:  Sumarsam, Wesleyan University; Heni Savitri, UC Davis; Darsono Hadiraharjo, Emory University; and Joko Sutrisno, UCLA. The overall ensemble included some of Harjito’s most experienced students as well as internationally renowned Indonesian vocalist Peni Candra Rini, a faculty member at ISI Solo.