Collaborations and Special Projects
Constantly exploring through diverse creative collaborations with the Malay Gamelan
Music Directors : Jillian Ooi & Teuku Umar Ilany
Theatre Director : Kee Thuan Chye
Swordfish + Concubine
2017
Rhythm in Bronze provided the live music for the theatre production Swordfish + Concubine, a story by Kee Thuan Chye
Artistic & Music Directors: Jillian Ooi and Kohey Kawamura
Producers:Sharmini Ratnasingam and
Aki Uehara
Beyond Gongs - Rhythm in Bronze with Taikuh Jikang
2015
The Beyond Gongs project was a collaboration between Rhythm in Bronze and Taikuh Jikang from Japan, to deepen understanding of both Malaysian and Japanese culture and the evolution of contemporary musical creativity within the region
Artistic & Music Director: Jillian Ooi
Facilitator: Gareth Farr
Executive Producer: Sharmini Ratnasingam
RiB Composition Workshop #2
2014
Rhythm in Bronze conducted their 2nd music composition workshop, facilitated by Gareth Farr, a composer from New Zealand. New compositions from Rhythm In Bronze members were introduced, refined and presented in a small performance
Facilitators: Pak Wayan Chitra and Agus Win
Masterclass with Sanggar Singamurti #2
2014
Rhythm in Bronze's 2nd masterclass with Sanggar Singamurthi in Gianyar, Bali
Artistic & Music Director: Jillian Ooi
Producer: Sharmini Ratnasingam
Desserts with RiB
2014
“Desserts with RIB" is part of the ensemble’s showcase series which gives the group the opportunity to explore new gamelan works and collaborations in a casual and informal atmosphere.
In this performance, we were privileged to work with thespian Ghafir Akbar and songstress Ida Mariana and Stephanie Van Driesen.
Artistic Director: Sharmini Ratnasingam
Music Director: Ann Salina Peter
Narrator: Grey Yeoh
Producers: Sharmini Ratnasingam & Julie Dessureault
MPO Happy Hour
2011
Rhythm in Bronze 2nd collaboration with a number of musicians from the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, introducing Rhythm in Bronze and its different styles.
RiB Collaborators: Ann Salina Peter, Christine May Yong and Teuku Umar
Producers: Sharmini Ratnasingam & Grey Yeoh
SuperEverything
2011
In 2011, the British Council invited The Light Surgeons to create and develop a performance project that would explore the rich cultural landscape of Malaysia.
This new commission brought unique creative processes and artistic direction to new audiences and was a valuable opportunity to produce a new piece of live cinema work in collaboration with a group of leading Malaysian audio and visual artists
Rhythm In Bronze was one of the collaborators in co-creating the music and soundscape
Facilitator: Gareth Farr
Producer: Sharmini Ratnasingam
RiB Composition Workshop #1
2010
With the kind support of HSBC in the Arts & Malaysia Airlines, RiB conducted a music composition workshop. Designed to guide Rhythm in Bronze members in the gamelan composition process, the workshop was facilitated by a well-know gamelan composer, New Zealander Gareth Farr.
Facilitators: Pak Wayan Chitra and Agus Win
Masterclass withSanggar Singamurti #1
2010
Rhythm in Bronze members participated in a 3-day masterclass in Gianyar, Bali with the established Balinese gamelan ensemble; Sanggar Singamurthi
Artistic Director: Sharmini Ratnasingam
Music Directors: Seow Lai Fong & Ann Salina Peter
MPO MID-WEEK JAM: A Gamelan Discovery
2010
Rhythm in Bronze collaborated with a number of Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra musicians, introducing the mystical Malay gamelan instruments in a story form
Music Director: Susan Sarah John
Producer : Sharmini Ratnasingam
Sultan of Kedah’s 50th Sovereignty Anniversary
2008
The Kedah Royal family had invited Rhythm in Bronze to perform at the Sultan of Kedah’s 50th anniversary of his sovereignty. Susan Sarah John, who is Rhythm in Bronze’s Music Director and also a Kedah native, was specially commissioned by Sultan of Kedah’s daughter to compose a song for her dad.
Music Director: Jillian Ooi
Producer: Sharmini Ratnasingam
Buka Panggung - Tejasuara
2008
Blessing ceremony of Rhythm in Bronze’s very own gamelan set, named Tejasuara (“radiant sound”), sponsored by HSBC in their support of the arts
Artistic & Music Director: Jillian Ooi
UTIH – Celebrating Krishen
2006
A ‘wayang kulit’ tribute with a twist to the late Dato’ Krishen Jit, who had been instrumental in guiding Rhythm in Bronze’s journey
Song Company Artistic Director: Roland Peelman
RiB Music Directors: Sunetra Fernando & Jillian Ooi
Executive Producer: Marion D’Cruz
Rhythm in Bronze with The Australian Song Company
2004
Rhythm in Bronze collaborated with Australia’s The Song Company, combining gamelan and voice -and exchanging ideas and expertise. Gamelan Composer, New Zealander Gareth Farr was commissioned to compose Lagu Untuk Teman Baru (A Song for a New Friend) which featured gamelan with 4 voices
Music Director: Sunetra Fernando
Producer: Five Arts
Kuala Lumpur BBC Proms Festival
2002
Sunetra Fernando was commissioned by the Malaysian Philharmonic to compose Wayang, to be performed in a collaboration between the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO), the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Rhythm in Bronze and the PETRONAS Performing Arts Group, directed by MPO Associate Conductor Kevin Field.
Artistic & Music Director: Sunetra Fernando
Producer: Marion D’Cruz
Rhythm In Bronze CD
2001
The Rhythm In Bronze CD project is the first recording of contemporary Malaysian gamelan music featuring original compositions by local composers like Sunetra Fernando, Michael Veerapen, Tan Sooi Beng Suhaimi Mohd Zain, Wayan I Rajeg, alongside a traditional Malayand Javanese repertoire specially adapted for the Malaysian gamelan. The CD incorporates different instruments like vocals, electric guitars, the Kelantanese rebab and Chinese shigu drums amongst others into the traditional gamelan repertoire