While the sun rises, so does the moon. Searching for the musical «mother-tongue» – Indonesian traditional music combined with western techniques

Abstract

To deconstruct entrenched thought patterns, habits, decision-making processes, and production methods in music, it is necessary to take the time to delve into the colonial history of Indonesia and question the origins of certain definitions. Understanding these ongoing, often invisible consequences is essential to addressing the global and digital challenges that musicians face today. In this project Sun and Moon represent spatiality, simultaneity, change of perspective, interdependence, and symbiosis. Dealing with the topic of preserving a time-honored tradition of gamelan music and its authenticity, without falling into the trap of «romanticizing» the past, lead to the question how two (musical) realities can be reinterpreted and merged. As Wahono (Uwalmassa) said: «There’s really no staying true to gamelan because it keeps evolving and changing. We’re experimenting with something that’s already been modified several times so the only authenticity that we need to maintain is to continue developing and innovating.»