University Gamelan Ensemble Concerts at Pitt April 13-14 Feature the Music of Indonesia

PITTSBURGH-The University Gamelan Ensemble will perform the rich and exotic musical sounds of Indonesia during its annual concerts at 8 p.m. April 13 and 14 in the Bellefield Hall Auditorium, 315 S. Bellefield Ave., Oakland. Tickets are $10 for general admission, $5 for students, and free to Pitt students with a valid ID. For more information, call 412-624-4125.

This year's event, called "The Voice of Sunda," features vocalist Euis Komariah, who has made approximately 50 recordings in West Java, home to the Sundanese people. Kamariah has toured internationally, but, for the first time, is a Pitt artist-in-residence, teaching courses in voice and gamelan until April 15.

"She's considered a virtuoso and has an amazing vocal technique," says Pitt Music Professor and Gamelan Ensemble Director Andrew Weintraub, adding that Komariah's artist-in-residency at Pitt has sparked the interest of many students.

At the concerts, Komariah will be accompanied by Burhan Sukarma on the bamboo flute and Gangan Garmana on the zither.

The gamelan, native to Indonesia, is a collection of large and small gongs, chimes, xylophone-like keyed instruments, and drums. Members of the ensemble sit cross-legged on the stage floor and strike the instruments with padded mallets. Pitt obtained its first custom-made gamelan in 1995 and its second in 2005. Both will be used at the performances.

There are 12 members of the University Gamelan Ensemble, including students from Pitt and Carnegie Mellon University and members of the community.

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4/6/07/tmw