Gamelan Spréacha Geala celebrate ten years of gamelan in west Cork.
Free Event.
10 years ago, Skibbereen welcomed a new ensemble of instruments that has since become a vibrant part of the local music eco-system, performing at festivals, for film soundtracks and in many experimental settings.
To mark the auspicious occasion, Gamelan Spréacha Geala, a performance group that has grown out of the community ensemble, will perform a celebratory concert of eclectic material from across their many projects. For this event, the audience will enter a world of resonance created by the extraordinary otherworldly instruments of the Javanese gamelan orchestra.
Gamelan is the rich and ancient musical traditional of Indonesia using bronze gongs, xylophones, metallophones and other tuned percussion to create a shimmering texture and powerful resonance. These unique (no two sets are alike) hand-forged instruments are equally impressive visually, as they are intricately carved and brightly coloured.
On July 29th, the listener will step inside the resonant space for an immersive performance of both traditional Javanese music, new compositions, improvisation and arrangements of traditional Irish music.
They will be joined by special guests who have been collaborators over the years, including violinist Justin Grounds and vocalist Fiona Kelleher. Also present to celebrate will be Kelly Boyle of the Irish Gamelan Orchestra, and award-winning composer and percussionist Prof. Mel Mercier.
Gamelan Spreacha Geala are a non-professional, community music group, part of an innovative network of community arts programmes led by the 49 North Street Mental Health service. All the music has been composed collaboratively with the group members and the musical director, Dr. Kevin McNally, assistant director of the Irish Gamelan Orchestra.
The west Cork gamelan is a joyful expression of community-led creativity supported by Cork ETB, Music Alive and the HSE.
More information available at westcorkgamelan.com
https://youtu.be/xKuVVszCnS4?si=6G1az9kDSJ3Vt1BA
Picture credit- 1 - Riche Tyndall, 2 - Bríd O’Donovan
