Musical traditions are as diverse as the population, but the one musical expression best known and most widely associated with the country is probably the gamelan.
A complete gamelan orchestra may consist of as many as eighty instruments, the largest part comprising various types and sizes of metal percussion instruments. Drums, a zither (celempung), a rebate two-stringed upright lute, a flute and often a few other instruments complete the ensemble. Although there are variations known within each, the gamelan orchestra is basically tuned to two systems, the old pentatonic slendro and the younger seventone pelog, each producing, its own mood and having its own uses in the musical or the atrical repertoire. The creation of moods or "colour" is further archieved by the use of three principal modes (pathet) within each tuning system. The most elaborate form of gamelan is that of Central Java (Yogyakarta and Surakarta). West Java has its own gamelan ensemble, usually simpler than the Javanese with more stress on flute, drums and the bonang family of horizontally placed kettle gongs. But the most brilliant is that of Bali, where sets of "male" and "female" megalophones produce that beautiful timbre associated with the Balinese gamelan. In much more simple forms, the "gamelan" is also known in other islands of Indonesia, from southern Sumatra to Sulawesi and Kalimantan.
Gamelan
Performances of Javanese gamelan can be heard every Sunday in the Kraton of Yogyakarta. The Central Museum in Jakarta has performances of Sundanese (West Javanese) gamelan every Sunday morning. Javanese gamelan also accompanies the shortened wayang kulit performances given at the Wayang Museum in Jakarta every Sunday morning.
Bali
Regular performances of the popular dances such as the legong kraton, the barong kris and the bards dances, are easily found throughout Bali. They are usually staged for tourists by the village people. The Kecak is/performed at night by torchlight. Nowadays, even some of the formerly sacral dances, such as the fire dance, are often performed nightly for tourists notably at Kuta and Sanur beach.
Taman Ismail Marzuki ( TIM )
Dedicated to one of Indonesia's foremost modern composers, this art centre known popularly as TIM stages regular performances of traditional and contemporary art, including western ballet, Javanese dances, dramas and exhibitions of handicrafts and fine arts. The art centre publishes a monthly calendar of events which can be obtained at the TIM offices at Jalan Cikini Raya 73, Jakarta.
Taman Mini
The Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) is a cultural park which attempts to present the ethnic cultures and tradition in permanent exhibits of traditional architecture native to the 27 provinces. Performances of drama and dances of the various provinces are regularly staged in the pavillions. Like TIM, the park issues a monthly calendar of events.
Ancol Art Market
Art performances are frequently held at the Art Market (Pasar Seni) inside the Jaya Ancol Dreamland on Jakarta's beach. They normally range from wayang kulit shadow plays to folk dances and modern drama.
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