All About LILACITA

The Group :

The group (originally named Kembang Kirang) was founded in 1992 by Andy Channing to specialise in playing the Gamelan music of Bali, which is quite different to the Javanese music played by most of the other Gamelan groups in Britain. LILACITA emerged from the core playes of Kembang Kirang on the arrival of a Gong Kebyar in London (donated by a member of the group, one Gamelan is now resident at City University.) This Gamelan, which involves up to 30 players, has really taken off in Britain - LILACITA are the UK's only group performing traditional Balinese music for Gong Kebyar across Europe.

LILACITA also specialise in playing Gamelan Angklung, Gender Wayang, Baleganjur and Salunding, each on different types of instruments. We are committed to bringing the music of Bali to as wide an audience as possible through performances and through classes and public workshops.

Performing :

LILACITA regularly perform in Britain and abroad on all types of Balinese Gamelan but up until now most frequently on Gamelan Angklung. Performances have included the Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, St. James's Palace, London Zoo, the Science Museum, Ministry Of Sound, in Dublin and many festivals such as Colourscape, the Clerkenwell Festival and Lewisham People's Day. We have also performed Gong Kebyar at the Fondation La Caixa in Barcelona and Dartington Hall.

Gong Kebyar :

Perhaps the best known type of Gamelan is the Gong Kebyar, the modern style which swept the island in the twentieth century. Kebyar means "like the flaring of a match" or "the bursting open of a flower" and is fast and dynamic, full of dramatic contrasts. It is a music of extreme virtuosity and complexity, involving up to thirty players.

Gamelan Angklung :

Gamelan Angklung, one of the oldest Balinese Gamelans, is still very common today and is used for temple ceremonies, cremations, tooth fillings and purifications. It is small and portable and is often carried and played in procession. It employs a slendro scale of only four notes.

Baleganjur :

Baleganjur is the name given to the processional style of Gamelan in which the more portable instruments of the Gamelan are played on the move. The lack of keyed metallophones contributes to the unique sound of this rhythmic style. The name, meaning "Marching Army", reflects its martial origins.

Gender Wayang :

Gamelan Gender Wayang is traditionally used to accompany Wayang Kulit (shadow play) performances. Although one of the smallest ensembles, it plays some of the most complex and technically difficult music in Bali. Four ten-key metallophones make up the complete group, although in some specialised contexts drums and gongs are added.

Gamelan Salunding :

Gamelan Salunding originates from the Aga village of Tengang in western Bali. The iron keys produce a unique sound - resonant with a calming sonority. With no gongs or drums, this small ensemble is less vigorous, yet more enchanting than it's cousins.

The group's Salunding descends from a holy one. Legend tells us that on a stormy night, the gods rained down this first, most sacred Salunding, from which copies have been made.

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