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Gending Swallowtail

Gamelan angklung and violin

Duration: 8 min.

The gamelan angklung is a kind of miniature ensemble in comparison to the other orchestras of metallophones and gongs found in Bali, Indonesia. It has a corresponding light and charming sound to my ears, though it also accompanies rituals such as cremations. This work does not reference such cultural traditions directly. However, I have tried to respect certain distinctive techniques and follow the tradition for titling compositions. Angklung pieces are often named after flowers or animals, so I have titled this one after a butterfly I often see. "Gending" is an Indonesian word for composition.