Three Balinese Songs

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This set of “Three Balinese Songs” is designed to capture the nostalgia of popular folk songs as sung by the children of Banjar Wani, a village in Bali. The piano accompaniment reflects compositional techniques of Balinese gamelan. Melodies doubled in octaves in the right hand represent the varied octaves of gangsas (barred instruments). The extended lower octave in the left hand of the piano functions as the gong, which is used to mark cycles in gamelan music. The bubbling, rhythmic piano part of Juru Pencar creates a loop of positive energy between the melody and the accompaniment, allowing singers and listeners alike to reap the rewards of this synergy. Jenggot Uban reflects child-like curiosity and playfulness through the use of space and staccato articulation. Putri Cening Ayu is a song of both travel and returning to home. The music reflects this journey by using inner voices in the piano part that wander away from and return to the tonic. The second half of the piece quotes Rare in the right hand of the piano, a children’s song composed for gamelan anklung by I Ketut Gede Asnawa. This combines both instrumental and vocal sounds of Balinese childhood.

Listen below to a performance of all three songs by the Gettysburg Children's Choir.