Michael Asmara

Michael Asmara studied music at the Akademi Musik Indonesia (now became Indonesian Institute of the Arts) in Yogyakarta from 1980-83, and composition by self taught. His honors include First Prize in the competition of the Humorous Dance Festival in Jakarta (1986, for Clapping Dance). His music has been performed in Germany, Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan, The Netherlands, New Zealand, USA and Thailand, including twice at the Asian Music Festival (2003, Tokyo; 2005, Thailand). He has received commissions from Izumi Hall in Osaka, Shin Nakagawa/Gamelan Marga Sari in Osaka, pianist Kees Wieringa, violinist Rieko Suzuki, Omega Ensemble Germany, and Basso Moderno USA Allan Von Schenkel, Trio to be Sung Netherland, among other ensembles, organizations and soloists. COMPLETE LIST OF WORKS STAGE: Floods (text by Gentong Haryo Seno Ali, choreography by Synthia M.T. Sumukti), theatre cast (+ kentongan [bamboo alarm drums]), dance troupe (+ kentongan, lesung [rice mortars]), performance art (by Bambang Prashidi, Achmad Sururi), mixed chorus (+ angklung [Indonesian bamboo rattles]), flute, oboe, bassoon, guitar, string orchestra, 1984; Clapping Dance, human body, 1986; Love (text by Khalil Gibran [Bahasa translation], choreography by Synthia M.T. Sumukti), 2 male speakers, dance troupe, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, piano, 1987; Piece for playing (Gending Dolanan) (choreography by the composer), dancer, piano, any number of gamelan instruments in mixed tunings, audience, 1994; Interaction, motorcycle, audience volunteer (+ any number of gamelan instruments in mixed tunings), any number of gamelan instruments in mixed tunings, participating audience, 1999; Niji – Rainbow (text by Shin Nakagawa [also translated by the composer]; all players also dance), pesindhen (female voice), gamelan orchestra in mixed tunings (+ any number of small bells), 2003; Cooking Music (11 pieces involving the preparation of food; player also speaks about food), player (with kitchen utensils, foods, water, tea, metronome, handbell), lit candle, participating audience, 2004 ORCHESTRAL: Symphony No. 1, bonang in mixed tunings (rack of small tuned gongs), slentem in mixed tunings (Indonesian metallophone), saron penerus in mixed tunings (Indonesian metallophone), large orchestra (87 players), 1992 CHAMBER MUSIC: String Quartet No. 7, 1996; String Quartet No. 2, Op. 24, 1998; Fantasia, string quartet, 1999; Night Music for Marzenka (Trio for Gender), 3 gender (Indonesian metallophones), 2002; A Piece for 15 Rebab (2-string Indonesian instruments), 2002; Music for String Quartet, Rebab and Wind Trio, flute, clarinet, French horn, rebab, string quartet, 2002; For an Orphan in the Battle No. 2, clarinet, bass clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, French horn, 2 trumpets, trombone, tuba, string quartet, piano, 2004; The Evening Sleeps So Peacefully, trombone, stones (4 players), participating audience, 2004; Solo III, cello, 2005; A piece for Bonang, 2006; A Short Piece for Bass, double bass, 2006; Duo, violin, piano, 2006