Year 2, #1

Saturday, 20 July 2002
Laweyan, Solo

Dear Klenengan Subscribers,

Last Saturday night we had the first klenengan in our new fiscal year 2002-2003 (making it the 13th klenengan from the founding). The trend has continued, with the klenengan getting more and more popular--more musicians each time, a more and more lively atmosphere with each month.Thank you to all who have sent in their new subscription! We're going to need every penny of the new funds, as the rupiah is appreciating and more musicians are attending. (Both items good news, but it does make the klenengan more expensive....)

The klenengan on Saturday ran from 8:00 pm - 2:00 am and was at a new location, on a new gamelan. I've rented a house (3-year contract) in Laweyan (a neighborhood in the far south-western corner of Solo) and Carol Walker/Tim Buehrer have generously loaned their gamelan to me (temporarily/semi-long term) as they have moved to Cairo. Holding the klenengan in Laweyan has a number of advantages for us as a group. First, it means we can pay 2-3 more musicians as we don't have to pay rent to Bp. Mulyadi for the space and use of his gamelan. This month I paid him because he basically moved me in, but starting next month we won't have to do that. Second, it brings karawitan into a neighborhood which currently has no gamelan activity. A number of neighborhood players have already contacted me and asked if they can come next month to listen, and if they can have a regular rehearsal at the house. Evidently there is a group, but they lost their gamelan and rehearsal space years ago and haven't been rehearsing. If circumstances change we can always move back to Lojiwetan, and Bapak Mulyadi is completely supportive of wherever we hold the klenengan.

This klenengan was extra lively as Mas Darsono/"Jepang" attended. As with the very first klenengan when he came, his voice and comments are quite dominant on the recording, although he didn't play at all. We were thrilled to have Bp. Panggah able to attend again--although he has said Saturday nights are generally out for him. We also had the addition of 3 new sindhen--Ibu-s Keni (Bp. Karman's wife), Warti (Bp. Narto's wife), and Munira. Munira is a kethoprak/wayang orang sindhen legend in Solo (Bp. Mujiono's former wife) and sings with a very distinctive style. Other new players were:

  • Bp Narto (former SriWedari musician and general freelance gender player)
  • Bp. Waridi (a teacher at the conservatory)
  • Bp. Sardiman (retired RRI gender player)
  • Bp. Widodo (Bp. Ali's brother--a dhalang and gerong singer)

Acara Gendhing

  1. Ldr Wilujeng, pl 5

    rb--Raji, gd--Kamso, kd--Yadi, gb--Wakiyo, bn--Sagimin

  2. Gd. Kombang Mara kt 2 kr mg 4 pl 5

    rb--Dalimin, gd--Kamso, kd--Yadi, pn--Wakidjo, bn--Sagimin, gb--Wakiyo

  3. Gd. Lungkeh kt 4 arang mg Randamaya kalj. Ldr. Siyem sl 6

    rb--Wahyo, gd--Karno, kd--Yadi, pn--Wakidjo, bn--Sagimin, switched to Mulyono switched, finally to Dalimin (all in the first kenong or 2--no one could remember the piece except Pak Dalimin.....)

  4. Gd. Thukul kt 2 kr mg 4 kalj Ladr Thono-Tani, pt ngelik jugag pl 5

    rb--Wahyo, gd--Kamso, kd--Yadi, cib--Wakidjo

  5. Gd Titipati kt 2 kr mg 4 kalj ldr Peksi Kuwung (wilet) dados Ayak-Ayakan Anjang Mas, sl 6

    rb--Panggah, gd--Karno, kd--Kamso, cib--Wakidjo, bn--Sagimin

  6. Jineman Uler Kambang, pl 6 (Munira)
    Ketw. Sinom Parijotho, pl 6 (Warti)
    Ldr. Asmaradana, pl 6 (Keni)

    Bawa ST Lonthang Karantan (Panut) dawah Gd. Megamendung kt 2 arang mg Eseg-Eseg kalj Ldr. Kembang Kates

    rb--Raji, gd--Karno, kd--Yadi, cib--Wakidjo, gb--Tulus, bn--Sagimin

  7. Ketw Gd. Boyong Temanten kt 2 kr mg Ldr Boyong Temanten kelj Ketw Sidomardawa, pl 7

    rb--Raji, gd--Narto, kd--Yadi, cib--Wakidjo, bn--Dalimin

  8. pt wantah slendro manyura, Bawa ?? (Yasa) dawah Gd Lobong kt 2 kr mg Kinanthi

    Ayak-ayakan Mijil Larasati

    rb--Wakidjo, gd--Sumarsam, kd--Panggah, cib--Mujiono, gb--Tulus

    This has become the "gendhing wajib" (inevitably is played) at this klenengan. And every time it's very different, due mostly to Pak Mujiono of course.

Musicians Attending

  • Rebab: Raji, Wahyo, Panggah, Wakidjo
  • Gender: Kamso, Karno, Narto, Sumarsam
  • Kendhang: Yadi, Wakidjo, Kamso, Panggah, Mujiono
  • Sindhen: Mulyani, Parni, Tukinem, Tugini, Dharmi, Tarini, Kesi, Keni, Warti, Munira
  • Gerong: Panut, Yasa, Darsono/STSI, Diman, Widodo, Priyo Suling: Tarno
  • Gender Penerus:Joko Sabar
  • Gambang: Wakiyo, Tulus
  • Bonang: Sagimin, Dalimin
  • Bonang Penerus: Mardi/RRI
  • Slenthem: Sardiman
  • Gong: Karman
  • Kenong: Sarsidi
  • Kethuk/Kempyang: Kasim, Narto
  • Balungan: Ngahana, Wiyono, Pahang, Tulus, Sutat, Warjina, Ripto, Mulyono Siter: Djoko "Tipes", Ngatno

**yes, mas Wakidi was present, but he didn't play at all this klenengan. He was incredibly busy the whole time, running around making sure everything went smoothly in the new location. He'd just played ciblon all night at Bp. Panggah's the night before, so I don't think he felt too "repot" or disappointed/bothered.

Audience

  • Sumarsam (USA)
  • Anne Stebinger (USA)
  • Akira (Japan)
  • Kaoru (Japan)
  • Niemh (Ireland)
  • Sophie (England)
  • Chris (England)
  • Will (USA/Ithaca)
  • Marzana (Poland)
  • Rainer (Germany)
  • Darsono "Jepang"
  • Waridi (STSI)
  • Pardi(STSI)
  • Prasat (STSI)
  • Saptono (had to leave early for a family emergency) Lukman
  • Wawan (talented STSI young student)
  • Danis (")
  • Win (Windhan, Makam Haji)
  • Sutini (Windhan, Makam Haji--Joko Sabar's wife)
  • Tugimin (a representative of the former Laweyan gamelan group--he plans to tell the rest to come next month) former Laweyan gamelan group--he plans to tell the rest to come next month)

Budget

We spent Rp. 4,275,000, which at the rupiah rate on Friday of Rp. 8600 = $1 makes a total of $497. I'll be sending a financial report soon, regarding our new subscriptions and new budget, etc.

Report written by Kitsie Emerson