“When Rhythm in Bronze exploded on the scene in 1997 with their brand of contemporary gamelan, it was revolutionary. Suddenly it spiked a renewed interest in this dying genre all too often regarded as spa or convocation music”
~ Lim Chee Wah, TimeOut, Oct 2008
Tejasuara
- the Malaysian Gamelan
Rhythm in Bronze's stunning gamelan set, known as Tejasuara, which means "radiant sound" in the Sanskrit-based Javanese language, is a true marvel of heritage and craftsmanship. Commissioned with care and crafted with precision in Solo, Indonesia, the set is designed to adhere to the pentatonic Javanese slendro scale and follow the Malay gamelan tuning.
Although Rhythm in Bronze is well versed in traditional Malay gamelan repertoire, they explore new soundscapes and approaches often referred to as Malay gamelan with an innovative spirit. Their bold and collaborative approach to music making involves experimenting with different instruments and working with experienced musicians who specialise in other instruments to create captivating sounds.
In their relentless pursuit of pushing boundaries, Rhythm in Bronze continue to discover new textures and timbres of gamelan, offering unique interpretations that have never been heard before. Their creative explorations go beyond Malay gamelan, drawing inspiration from other gamelan genres such as Sundanese, Javanese and Balinese, as well as other musical traditions including Carnatic music, Chinese drums and percussion, and Malay and Sufi poetry.
Their drive to explore new frontiers and push the boundaries of music has led them to collaborate with an impressive list of talented musicians. These include Adrian Lee from the UK, Kevin Field, Associate Conductor of the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO), Roland Peelman of the Song Company from Australia, I Wayan Rajeg and Ben Pasaribu from Indonesia and Gareth Farr from New Zealand.
Through their artistic ingenuity and visionary approach, Rhythm in Bronze leaves an indelible mark on the world of music.