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MALAYSIAN FOLK MUSIC
Music for Theater: BANGSAWAN

Popular Malay Opera or Bangsawan is entertainment oriented and commercially motivated. Its popularity reached its peak in the 1920’s and 30’s. Its orchestra is a mix of Indian, Western, Latin American and indigeneous Malay musical instruments, combined in a number of different ways. Its music is a fusion of Malay and Western elements. Malay features include singing style, vocal ornamentation, emphasis on the last beat of the phrase, linear texture, cyclic drum patterns and the use of Malay texts. Western influence includes harmony, music related to the text and orchestration. Some songs adopt Middle Eastern, Chinese or Indian rhythms and modes. Others omit Western elements altogether. In summary, bangsawan can be said to be highly syncretic in nature. (Tan 1992).

MIDI Examples

Audio Examples (.mid format)

Hiburan Raja Ahmad Beradu | Telek Ternang (Lagu Arab) | Gambos Sri Makam (Lagu Arab) | Sinandung Jawa (Lagu Jawa) | Paraber (Lagu Hindustan) | Shanghai Street (Lagu China) | Penceraian Jula Juli dengan Sultan (Lagu Opera)