Gamelan refers to large ensembles of mostly bronze percussion instruments, and to the most prominent traditional music from Indonesia. Gamelan’s presence at Cornell offers a window into a truly majestic musical form as well as an entry to the study of the fourth most populous nation in the world.

The Cornell Gamelan Ensemble rehearses weekly, with students taking the course for credit joined by community members, and gives regular public performances. We play on a set of instruments from Central Java. Practical instruction is also offered as part of a 3-credit course covering the full range of music in Indonesia.

A Concert of

Gamelan

in memory of

Marty Hatch (1941–2025)

with guests

Peni Candra Rini

and

Wakidi Dwidjomartono

Thursday, December 11, 3pm

Lincoln Hall B20

The Cornell Gamelan Ensemble dedicates its end-of-semester concert to the memory of its founder, Marty Hatch, who passed away in August. Marty was a true trailblazer, initiating much of Cornell’s music department’s move beyond a once exclusive focus on Western Art Music. The ensemble and the course Gamelan in Indonesian History and Cultures—whose current cohort will also perform—represent a central piece of Marty’s broad legacy.

While gamelan refers first and foremost to sets of instruments, sung melody is equally core to the musical tradition of which it is part. This was the focus of Marty’s 1980 PhD dissertation, “Lagu, Laras, Layang: Rethinking Melody in Javanese Music.” It is thus fitting that we are joined by two esteemed guest musicians: singer and composer Peni Candra Rini, whose voice has been described as a “force of nature,” and Wakidi Dwidjomartono, a senior master best known for his kendhang (drum) playing, but a fine singer in his own right. The program features two of Rini’s compositions along with some of Marty’s favorites from the standard repertoire.