Here Be Monsters: Improvisational Music With Traditional Cambodian Instruments
Jun 2nd, 2010 by Jinja
“You come to see the Monster?” I was asked. I nodded and got pointed upstairs to the Cinema.
In addition to a heap of electronic equipment I spotted a Kse Diev (a string instrument held against the player’s body), a Tro (a violin-sounding string instrument that uses a membrane for its sound), Kong Vong Thom (metal gongs), and Roneat (wooden xylophone).
‘Krom Monster’ (Monster Group) launched right into their performance, including video art provided by Tith Kanitha. It was charming to hear Pinpeat music in a new context, and the ensemble broken down into its constituent parts. Melodic percussion can often be overwhelming to the Western ear in my experience.
‘Krom Monster’ (Monster Group) is part of a larger project called ‘Neak Ta’ spearheaded by London-based group Incidental, and this particular piece work primarily with Cambodian Living Arts, Java Arts, The Royal University of Fine Arts and Centre Culturel Francais.
Some of their earlier work involved RUFA students collecting peoples’ dreams and writing them on a ‘wishing tree’, which was then incorporated into the final visuals of the performance. (More clips here and here.)
The audience reaction was quite positive, and it looks like some more efforts are in the works. But this premiere was also the final performance for Krom Monster for the next few months.
Want more? Check Incidental’s blog, or write your thoughts on the Wishing Tree.
Also: Andy Brouwer’s night out: http://blog.andybrouwer.co.uk/2010/05/improv-monster.html, and the Phnom Penh Post‘s writeup.
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2010053139398/Lifestyle/traditional-music-meets-experimental-electronics.html
