K. P. H. Notoprojo
Encyclopedia
K.P.H. Notoprojo, also known as Tjokrowasito, Wasitodipuro, Wasitodiningrat, among other names, (March 17, 1909 – August 30, 2007) was one of the most highly respected performers of Java
nese gamelan
. He led the Paku Alaman palace gamelan as well as the gamelan for the Radio Republik Indonesia
Yogyakarta
, and taught gamelan in universities around the world. He was also a noted composer and rebab
performer.
On March 9, 2004, he received the Nugraha Bhakti Musik Indonesia Award.
, and half-brother of Paku Alam VIII, and earned a title similar to a prince
: K.P.H. Notoprojo (K.P.H. = Kandeng Pangeran Haryo).
In addition to playing in the court gamelan, he played with other famous gamelan groups, such as Daya Pradangga, and served as gamelan musical director at the radio station MAVRO (Mataramsche Vereeniging Radio Omroep) from 1934, Radio Hosokyoku from 1942-1945 during the Japanese occupation of Indonesia
, and RRI Yogyakarta after independence. He had the opportunity to teach karawitan
abroad beginning in 1953, and worked in several countries. He taught at the Konservatori Tari Indonesia and Akademi Seni Tari Indonesia, and founded a school for the study of vocal music, Pusat Olah Vokal Wasitodipuro.
He took over the Pura Pakualaman gamelan leadership from his father in 1962. The musical style of the Pura Pakualaman had traditional shared elements of both the Yogyakarta Sultan
's palace, and, influence by intermarriage, with the Sunan
's palace in Solo (Surakarta
). Notoprojo, following extended residencies in Solo, furthered this process, perhaps to the point in which the style of the Pura Pakualaman could be heard as largely Solonese in character.
He composed music for the new genre of sendratari dance-drama in the 1960s, including the first performances held at the Lara Jonggrang temple complex in Prambanan
. He collaborated with the choreographer Bagong Kussudiardjo. His over 250 compositions include numerous light gamelan pieces (lagu dolanan) and experimental works (kreasi baru), including many which are prominent in the gamelan repertory. He revived several moribund or extinct art forms from Yogyakarta history, including wayang gedhog. Scores of his works, as well as a two-volume set of his notation for vocal music, are published by the American Gamelan Institute
.
He led the gamelan at the Indonesian Pavilion of the 1964 New York World's Fair
. He moved to Valencia, California
in 1971 and taught at the California Institute of the Arts
until 1992, in addition to work at University of California, Berkeley
, San Jose State University
, and many other universities in the US and Canada. In 1992 he retired and returned to Indonesia. His home is both a residence for young artists, and a site of regular performances and gatherings of some of Java's best gamelan artists.
He died in Yogyakarta on August 30, 2007, at the age of 104 in the reckoning of years in the Javanese calendar
. He was instrumental in spreading the appreciation and knowledge of Javanese gamelan around the world. According to Mantle Hood
, "It is accepted that no other Indonesian has even approached the contributions of this man in helping the world know the great gamelan traditions of Java."
Java
Java is an island of Indonesia. With a population of 135 million , it is the world's most populous island, and one of the most densely populated regions in the world. It is home to 60% of Indonesia's population. The Indonesian capital city, Jakarta, is in west Java...
nese gamelan
Gamelan
A gamelan is a musical ensemble from Indonesia, typically from the islands of Bali or Java, featuring a variety of instruments such as metallophones, xylophones, drums and gongs; bamboo flutes, bowed and plucked strings. Vocalists may also be included....
. He led the Paku Alaman palace gamelan as well as the gamelan for the Radio Republik Indonesia
Radio Republik Indonesia
Radio Republik Indonesia is the state radio network of Indonesia. The organization is a public broadcasting service. It is a national radio station that broadcasts all over Indonesia and abroad to serve all Indonesian citizens throughout the nation and overseas. RRI also provides information about...
Yogyakarta
Yogyakarta (city)
Yogyakarta is a city in the Yogyakarta Special Region, Indonesia. It is renowned as a centre of classical Javanese fine art and culture such as batik, ballet, drama, music, poetry, and puppet shows. Yogyakarta was the Indonesian capital during the Indonesian National Revolution from 1945 to...
, and taught gamelan in universities around the world. He was also a noted composer and rebab
Rebab
The rebab , also rebap, rabab, rebeb, rababah, or al-rababa) is a type of string instrument so named no later than the 8th century and spread via Islamic trading routes over much of North Africa, the Middle East, parts of Europe, and the Far East...
performer.
On March 9, 2004, he received the Nugraha Bhakti Musik Indonesia Award.
Name
He had gone by a large number of names, corresponding to different honors he has received. He was born Tjokrowasito (Cokrowasito in the new orthography), and is known as Pak Tjokro (Cokro). As he became proficient, his peers called him Ki Tjokrowasito (Ki is an unofficial title of respect). In the 1960s, the Paku Alaman court named him K.R.T. Wasitodipuro (K.R.T. = Kanjeng Raden Tumenggung). Later, he was honored as K.R.T. Wasitodiningrat. In 2001 he was recognized officially as the natural son of Paku Alam VIIPaku Alam VII
Paku Alam VII acceded to the throne of the Pakualaman principality Kadipaten Pakualaman in 1903. The Pakualaman dates from 1812 and is an enclave within the Yogyakarta Sultanate. He was succeeded by his son....
, and half-brother of Paku Alam VIII, and earned a title similar to a prince
Prince
Prince is a general term for a ruler, monarch or member of a monarch's or former monarch's family, and is a hereditary title in the nobility of some European states. The feminine equivalent is a princess...
: K.P.H. Notoprojo (K.P.H. = Kandeng Pangeran Haryo).
Life
He was born in Yogyakarta, Java. He grew up in the Paku Alaman palace, and began studying gamelan at age five from his legal father, R.W. Padmowinangum, who led the palace gamelan. His formal education was at Taman Siswa secondary school, enriched by studies at the palace.In addition to playing in the court gamelan, he played with other famous gamelan groups, such as Daya Pradangga, and served as gamelan musical director at the radio station MAVRO (Mataramsche Vereeniging Radio Omroep) from 1934, Radio Hosokyoku from 1942-1945 during the Japanese occupation of Indonesia
Japanese Occupation of Indonesia
The Japanese Empire occupied Indonesia, known then as the Dutch East Indies, during World War II from March 1942 until after the end of War in 1945...
, and RRI Yogyakarta after independence. He had the opportunity to teach karawitan
Karawitan
Karawitan is a general term for music and singing associated with the gamelan of Java.The word derives from the Javanese word of Sanskrit origin, rawit, which refers to the smooth, elegant sense idealised in Javanese music. Another word from this root, pangrawit, means a person with that sense, and...
abroad beginning in 1953, and worked in several countries. He taught at the Konservatori Tari Indonesia and Akademi Seni Tari Indonesia, and founded a school for the study of vocal music, Pusat Olah Vokal Wasitodipuro.
He took over the Pura Pakualaman gamelan leadership from his father in 1962. The musical style of the Pura Pakualaman had traditional shared elements of both the Yogyakarta Sultan
Yogyakarta Sultanate
Yogyakarta Sultanate is a Javanese monarchy in the province of Yogyakarta, Indonesia.-History:...
's palace, and, influence by intermarriage, with the Sunan
Susuhunan
Susuhunan or in short version Sunan, is a title used by the kings of Mataram and then by the hereditary rulers of Surakarta, Indonesia. The rulers of Surakarta traditionally adopt the reign name Pakubuwono...
's palace in Solo (Surakarta
Surakarta
Surakarta, also called Solo or Sala, is a city in Central Java, Indonesia of more than 520,061 people with a population density of 11,811.5 people/km2. The 44 km2 city adjoins Karanganyar Regency and Boyolali Regency to the north, Karanganyar Regency and Sukoharjo Regency to the east and...
). Notoprojo, following extended residencies in Solo, furthered this process, perhaps to the point in which the style of the Pura Pakualaman could be heard as largely Solonese in character.
He composed music for the new genre of sendratari dance-drama in the 1960s, including the first performances held at the Lara Jonggrang temple complex in Prambanan
Prambanan
Prambanan is a ninth century Hindu temple compound in Central Java, Indonesia, dedicated to the Trimurti, the expression of God as the Creator , the Sustainer and the Destroyer...
. He collaborated with the choreographer Bagong Kussudiardjo. His over 250 compositions include numerous light gamelan pieces (lagu dolanan) and experimental works (kreasi baru), including many which are prominent in the gamelan repertory. He revived several moribund or extinct art forms from Yogyakarta history, including wayang gedhog. Scores of his works, as well as a two-volume set of his notation for vocal music, are published by the American Gamelan Institute
American Gamelan Institute
The is an organization devoted to promoting and documenting all forms of gamelan, the performing arts of Indonesia, and their international counterparts....
.
He led the gamelan at the Indonesian Pavilion of the 1964 New York World's Fair
1964 New York World's Fair
The 1964/1965 New York World's Fair was the third major world's fair to be held in New York City. Hailing itself as a "universal and international" exposition, the fair's theme was "Peace Through Understanding," dedicated to "Man's Achievement on a Shrinking Globe in an Expanding Universe";...
. He moved to Valencia, California
Valencia, California
Valencia is an affluent planned community located in the City of Santa Clarita, California and Los Angeles County, California, U.S. in the northwestern corner of the Santa Clarita Valley, adjacent to Interstate 5. In 1987, it was one of the four unincorporated communities that merged to create the...
in 1971 and taught at the California Institute of the Arts
California Institute of the Arts
The California Institute of the Arts, commonly referred to as CalArts, is located in Valencia, in Los Angeles County, California. It was incorporated in 1961 as the first degree-granting institution of higher learning in the United States created specifically for students of both the visual and the...
until 1992, in addition to work at University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
, San Jose State University
San José State University
San Jose State University is a public university located in San Jose, California, United States...
, and many other universities in the US and Canada. In 1992 he retired and returned to Indonesia. His home is both a residence for young artists, and a site of regular performances and gatherings of some of Java's best gamelan artists.
He died in Yogyakarta on August 30, 2007, at the age of 104 in the reckoning of years in the Javanese calendar
Javanese calendar
The Javanese calendar is the calendar of the Javanese people. It is used concurrently with two other calendars, the Gregorian calendar and the Islamic calendar...
. He was instrumental in spreading the appreciation and knowledge of Javanese gamelan around the world. According to Mantle Hood
Mantle Hood
Mantle Hood was an American ethnomusicologist. Among other areas, he specialized in studying gamelan music from Indonesia. Hood pioneered, in the 1950s and 1960s, a new approach to the study of music, and the creation at UCLA of the first American university program devoted to ethnomusicology...
, "It is accepted that no other Indonesian has even approached the contributions of this man in helping the world know the great gamelan traditions of Java."
List of selected works sorted by form
- Bubaran: Purnama Siddi, sléndroSlendroSlendro is a pentatonic scale, one of the two most common scales used in Indonesian gamelan music, the other being pélog.-Tuning:...
pathetPathetThe pathet is an organizing concept in gamelan music. It is difficult to explain, but is similar to the melody types, that is, for example, modes, ragas, or maqamat, of other musics....
sanga; Vadera, pélogPelogPelog is one of the two essential scales of gamelan music native to Bali and Java, in Indonesia. The other scale commonly used is called slendro. Pelog has seven notes, but many gamelan ensembles only have keys for five of the pitches...
pathet barang, arranged 3vv - Dolanan: Dong Dong Dung, sléndro pathet manyura; Gemibira Loka, sléndro pathet sanga; Kaé Lho Kaé, sléndro pathet sanga; Kuwi Apa Kuwi, pélog pathet barang; Ok Ok, pélog pathet barang; Paman Tani, sléndro pathet manyura; Rondha Malam, sléndro pathet sanga; Sepur Trutuk, pélog pathet lima; Sundra Nirmala, sléndro pathet manyura; Tari Bali, pélog pathet barang
- Extended work: Jaya Manggala Gita (1952)
- GendhingGendhingThe gendhing is a class of gendhing structures used in Javanese gamelan music. Gendhing can also be used to refer to gamelan compositions in general....
: Hanrang Yuda, pélog pathet barang; Gotong Royong, pélog pathet nem; Gumarang, pélog pathet barang; Jahnawi, pélog pathet nem; Jangèr, pélog pathet barang; Kemanak Mangkungkung, sléndro pathet sanga; Lokananta, pélog pathet barang; Mbangun Kuta, pélog pathet nem; Pangéran Diponegoro, pélog pathet nem; Windu Kencana, pélog pathet lima - Jineman: Mijil Wida Watèn, pélog ?pathet nem; Tatanya, pélog pathet barang
- KetawangKetawangThe ketawang is one of the gendhing structures used in Javanese gamelan music.Its colotomic structure is:where p indicates the strike of the kempyang, T the ketuk, P the kempul, N the kenong, and G the simultaneous stroke of the gong and kenong. The W indicates the wela, the pause where the kempul...
: Alun, sléndro pathet sanga; Basanta, pélog pathet nem; Cakrawala, sléndro pathet sanga; Dana Wara, pélog pathet nem; Duksina, pélog pathet nem; Gendhing Purnama Siddi, sléndro pathet sanga; Kontap, pélog pathet nem; Kumudasmara, pélog pathet nem; Prihatin, pélog pathet lima; Sambang Dalu, pélog pathet nem; Santi, pélog pathet nem; Sasmitèngrat, pélog pathet barang; Sri Lulut, pélog pathet barang; Sumekar, pélog pathet nem; Sundari, pélog pathet barang; Swédakara, sléndro pathet nem; Wedyasmara, pélog pathet nem - LadrangLadrangThe ladrang is one of the gendhing structures used in Javanese gamelan music.The basic colotomic structure is a cycle of 32 beats in the following order:...
: Argolagu, pélog pathet nem; Argopèni, sléndro pathet manyura; Dupara, pélog pathet nem; Dwi Rocana, pélog pathet barang; Jati Aish, pélog pathet lima; Purnama Sidi, sléndro pathet sanga; Manjila, pélog pathet lima; Rondha Malam; Srenggara, pélog pathet lima; Sri Duhita, pélog pathet barang; Suka Bagya, pélog pathet barang; Westminster, sléndro pathet sanga (melody by Laras Sumbaga) - LaguBalunganThe balungan is sometimes called the "core melody" of a Javanese gamelan composition. This corresponds to the view that gamelan music is heterophonic: the balungan is then the melody which is being elaborated....
: Cacah Jiwa, pélog pathet lima; Catrik, pélog pathet nem; Gerilya, pélog pathet nem; Gora Marga, pélog pathet barang; KORPRI, pélog pathet barang; Membantu Sensus, sléndro pathet sanga; Paman Tani Sagung, pélog pathet nem; Pulo Bali, pélog pathet barang; Repelita, pélog pathet nem; Sepuran, sléndro pathet manyura; Sopir Bécak, pélog pathet nem; Ya, Ya, Ya, pélog pathet barang - LancaranLancaranThe lancaran is one of the gendhing structures used in Javanese gamelan music. It is the shortest of the gendhing structures that are not from the wayang repertoire. Gangsaran and bubaran are related structures that share the same colotomic structure.Groupings of four are most common at all levels...
: Aja Ngono, pélog pathet nem; Banting Stir, sléndro pathet nem; Catrik, pélog pathet nem; Dahana, pélog pathet barang; Gembala, pélog pathet lima; Graksa, pélog pathet nem; Gugur Gunung, pélog pathet barang; Kagok Pangrawit, pélog pathet lima; Keluarga Berencana, pélog pathet barang; Mindana, pélog pathet nem; Modernisasi Désa, pélog pathet nem; Orde Baru, pélog pathet barang; Pawaka, pélog pathet barang; Penghijauan, sléndro pathet manyura; Rudita, pélog pathet nem; Tahu Tempé, pélog pathet nem (arranged); Tari Payung, sléndro and pélog; Umban, pélog pathet nem; Udan Angin, pélog pathet barang; Waditra, pélog pathet nem; Welasan Aish, pélog pathet lima - SekarSekarSekar, Sekhar, or Shekhar is a common Indian name.People with this name include:* Shekhar Gupta, journalist* Shekhar Kapur, film director...
: Sekar Ageng Puspa Lalita, pélog pathet nem; Dhudha Gandrung, sléndro pathet sanga; Madya Lalita, pélog pathet barang - Sendratari arrangements: Alleluyah; Arjuna Wiwaha; Bandung Bandawasa; Calonarang; Damar Wulan; Dewi Saraswati; Diponegoro; HamletHamletThe Tragical History of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, or more simply Hamlet, is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1599 and 1601...
; Kelahiran dan Kebangitan Kristus; Mangkubumi; Menuntut Balas; Nyai Ratu Kidul/Loro Kidul; Pangéran Mangkubumi; RamayanaRamayanaThe Ramayana is an ancient Sanskrit epic. It is ascribed to the Hindu sage Valmiki and forms an important part of the Hindu canon , considered to be itihāsa. The Ramayana is one of the two great epics of India and Nepal, the other being the Mahabharata...
"Rara Jonggrang"; Samgita Nusantara; Samgita Pancasona; Sri Tanjung; Sumpah Palapa - Other: Ayo Nyang Ganéfo, sléndro pathet manyura; Banting Stir, pélog pathet liwung (Sundanese); Bedhayan Sundari, pélog pathet lima; Bémo, sléndro pathet sanga; Ginada, sléndro pathet manyura; Holopis Kontul Baris, sléndro pathet sanga; Kanca Tani, sléndro pathet sanga; Kartika, pélog pathet nem; Kawiwitan Meditasi/Konsentrasi, pélog pathet nem; Liwung Bayang Kara, pélog pathet nem; Mbangun Désa, pélog pathet barang; Nara Karva, sléndro pathet manyura; Sensus, sléndro pathet sanga; Sesaji, pélog pathet nem; Srepegan Mandira, sléndro pathet nem; Taman Sari, pélog pathet nem; Tri Narpati, pélog pathet nem; Welasan Lancar, pélog pathet barang; Welesan Rudatin, pélog pathet barang; Welesan Ruwida, pélog pathet nem; Welesan Tandaish, pélog pathet nem; Wus Miyos Ing Ratri, pélog pathet nem
As performer/director
- Javanese Court GamelanJavanese Court GamelanNote: the first cover is of the first CD issue of the album, released during the 1990s.Javanese Court Gamelan is a recording of the gamelan of the Paku Alaman court in Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia. It was recorded by ethnomusicologist Robert E. Brown. It was issued on compact disc on April 17, 1991...
, released on Nonesuch RecordsNonesuch RecordsNonesuch Records is an American record label, owned by Warner Music Group and distributed by Warner Bros. Records.-Company history:Nonesuch was founded in 1964 by Jac Holzman to produce "fine records at the same price as a trade paperback", which would be half the price of a normal LP...
, 1971 (reissued 2003).
Compositions
- The music of K.R.T. Wasitodiningrat, performed by Gamelan Sekar Tunjung, released on CMP Records, 1994.
Writings and Notation
- Javanese Vocal Notation, a collection of notation for male voices (gerongGerongGerong is the Javanese verb meaning "to sing in a chorus." Penggerong is the proper name of a member of the chorus, but often the word gerong is used to refer to the unison male chorus that sings with the gamelan. The chorus or the melody may also be called the gerongan.The gerong generally sings...
) and female voices (pesindhen) for nearly 300 pieces, written in his own hand during the years he taught at California Institute of the ArtsCalifornia Institute of the ArtsThe California Institute of the Arts, commonly referred to as CalArts, is located in Valencia, in Los Angeles County, California. It was incorporated in 1961 as the first degree-granting institution of higher learning in the United States created specifically for students of both the visual and the...
. Several of the piece are his own compositions. The collection was started by Leslie Dono Isworo, and edited by Jody DiamondJody DiamondJody Diamond is an American composer, performer, writer, publisher, editor, and educator. She specializes in traditional and new music for Indonesian gamelan and is active internationally as a scholar, performer, and publisher.-Biography:She received a B.A. from the University of California,...
with assistance from I.M. Harjito and Djoko Waluyo, with an introduction by Alex Dea and Laurie Kottmeyer. Both the slendroSlendroSlendro is a pentatonic scale, one of the two most common scales used in Indonesian gamelan music, the other being pélog.-Tuning:...
and pelogPelogPelog is one of the two essential scales of gamelan music native to Bali and Java, in Indonesia. The other scale commonly used is called slendro. Pelog has seven notes, but many gamelan ensembles only have keys for five of the pitches...
volumes of vocal notation, as well as a collection of his compositions, are available for download in the library of the American Gamelan InstituteAmerican Gamelan InstituteThe is an organization devoted to promoting and documenting all forms of gamelan, the performing arts of Indonesia, and their international counterparts....
.http://www.gamelan.org/library/index.shtml#notation
Further reading
- I N. Wenten. The Creative World of Ki Wasitodipuro: the Life and Work of a Javanese Gamelan Composer (dissertation, UCLA, 1996)
- Judith O. Becker. Traditional Music in Modern Java. Honolulu: University Press of Hawaii, 1980.