Talempong

Cultural contexts#

There are many different styles of talempong. Those that are considered older include talempong pacik (“handheld talempong”) and talempong duduak (“seated talempong”). Those that are newer include talempong kreasi (new creation talempong) which evolved in the late 1960s and early 70s from the institution known at the time as Akademi Seni Karawitan Indonesia (ASKI) which is now known as Institut Seni Indonesia (ISI) Padang Panjang. A later development includes talempong goyang (“talempong that shakes or rocks”) which brings in pop influences. These ensembles can be used to accompany dance or welcoming performances, such as the typical Tari Piring, Tari Pasambahan, Tari Alang, Tari Suntiang Pangulu and Tari Gelombang. Depending on the style, a variety of instruments can be added to the talempong themselves: accordion, synthesizer, saluang, gandang, serunai and other traditional Minangkabau instruments. Talempong can be used to play a wide variety of music traditional and modern. Talempong have also been used in some experimental gamelan pieces composed at Sekolah Tinggi Seni Indonesia Surakarta, which has West Sumatran instructors and students.

Outside Indonesia#

In Malaysia, the talempong was brought to Negeri Sembilan, Peninsular Malaysia, in the 14th century by Minangkabau people from nearby West Sumatra. Here, talempong is also known as caklempong. The caklempong is present in the different configurations of the Nobat, a ceremonial traditional orchestra that is among the Regalia of Malaysia. Performances by the Nobat are limited to royal occasions, the ensemble playing an important role in the Installation of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Gallery#

File: Talempong diatonis 2.jpg Gong of Talempong File: Musicians playing talempong pacik.jpg Talempong Pacik File: Talempong.jpg Playing talempong File: Talempong Pacik.jpg Playing talempong pacik together File:Playing Talempong Pacik.webm Talempong Pacik for Ceremonial activity in West Sumatra

See also#

• Gamelan - gong chime music of Java, Bali, southern Sumatra
• Kulintang - a single row kettle gong instrument of the southern Philippines, northern Borneo, Sulawesi.
• Bonang - kettle gong instrument of Java
• History of Caklempong

Sources#

• Fraser, Jennifer A. Gongs and Pop Songs: Sounding Minangkabau in Indonesia. Ohio University Press. 2015.
• Roth, A. R. New Compositions for Javanese Gamelan. University of Durham, Doctoral Thesis, 1986