The Pinpeat Orchestra - The Music of Cambodia, Vol. 2: Royal Court Music (1995)

On the walls of Angkor Wat, the famous bas-reliefs show the instruments of the Khmer Imperial court of a thousand years ago: double reeds, wooden xylophones played in pairs, unusual sets of metal gongs placed in circular frames, and drums. Incredibly, these instruments and much of the court music still survive today, despite the decimation of Cambodian arts and culture during the Khmer Rouge regime. This recording is the second in a three-volume series that reveals the mysteries of Cambodian music to the outside world. Following the rarely heard instruments and styles of the Angkor Wat region in the first volume, this volume of The Music of Cambodia series presents the beauty, refinement, and energy of the royal court music.

Although there is no royal court in modern Cambodia, the Cambodian government has fought mightily to preserve its fragile links to the glories of the ancient Khmer Empire. The dance and music of the royal court are considered very important links, and this recording features some of the finest musicians still living in southeast Asia. In addition, The Music of Cambodia, Volume 2, includes the popular Cambodian music ensemble known as Mahori, the magical trance and possession music of the Memut, and some literally breath-taking solos for reed, wood flute, and buffalo horn.

Recorded in Phnom Penh, this collection combines the authenticity of a field recording with the sonic excellence of a modern studio record. In one piece, the hazy shimmer of over-tones from the court ensemble's gong-chime instruments haunt the background of the performance, while the Cambodian oboe swirls atop a bed of precisely interlocking xylophone patterns. In another, the casting of a spell to ward off black magic is accompanied by the ever-accelerating rhythm of the trance music of the tribal Arak people. That these styles have survived is a tribute to the strength of Cambodian music.

About the Artist

The musicians of the royal court ensemble are perhaps the finest professional musicians in Cambodia today. Often heard at large festivals and on the radio, the mahori orchestra are among the most popular musicians in Cambodia. Several of the members are virtuoso performers on various Cambodian flutes and double-reeds, and appear as soloists in The Music of Cambodia, Volume 3.

Tracklist:
1-1 The Mahori Orchestra - The Pinpeat Orchestra - The Pinpeat Orchestra: Sathouka [3:56]
1-2 The Mahori Orchestra - The Pinpeat Orchestra - The Pinpeat Orchestra: Trak Toch [2:32]
1-3 The Mahori Orchestra - The Pinpeat Orchestra - The Pinpeat Orchestra: Keak Borechet [2:04]
1-4 The Mahori Orchestra - The Pinpeat Orchestra - The Pinpeat Orchestra: Mea Haarit [2:02]
1-5 The Mahori Orchestra - The Pinpeat Orchestra - The Pinpeat Orchestra: Pream Keap Prurven [2:06]
1-6 The Mahori Orchestra - The Pinpeat Orchestra - The Pinpeat Orchestra: Dance Medley: Sinoun, Daemchin, Smeur, Cheut [13:46]
1-7 The Mahori Orchestra - The Pinpeat Orchestra - The Pinpeat Orchestra: Dance Medley: Pyadeun, Chonkes Reau, Saloma Bagnchos Lar [9:39]
1-8 The Mahori Orchestra - The Mahori Orchestra - The Mahori Orchestra: Laang Preah Poun Leah [2:24]
1-9 The Mahori Orchestra - The Mahori Orchestra - The Mahori Orchestra: Tombaan [3:41]
1-10 The Mahori Orchestra - The Mahori Orchestra - The Mahori Orchestra: Khmer Chroot Srau [2:14]
1-11 The Mahori Orchestra - The Mahori Orchestra - The Mahori Orchestra: Sat Mea Haori [3:41]
1-12 The Mahori Orchestra - The Mahori Orchestra - The Mahori Orchestra: Baaray Kuul [2:30]
1-13 The Mahori Orchestra - The Mahori Orchestra - The Mahori Orchestra: Sontheuk Pkor Kraom [3:44]
1-14 The Mahori Orchestra - The Mahori Orchestra - The Mahori Orchestra: Undae Traw Kuan [2:24]
1-15 The Mahori Orchestra - The Mahori Orchestra - The Mahori Orchestra: Trorpean Piey [3:42]
1-16 The Memut - Smaon (Arak Music) - Smaon (Arak Music): Homrong (Arak Music) [3:04]
1-17 The Memut - Smaon (Arak Music) - Smaon (Arak Music): Craen (Arak Music) [2:01]
1-18 The Memut - Smaon (Arak Music) - Smaon (Arak Music): Ni Maan (Arak Music) [2:13]
1-19 The Memut - Smaon (Arak Music) - Smaon (Arak Music): Smaon (Arak Music) [2:07]
1-20 Soloist;The Mahori Orchestra - Solo Pieces - Solo Pieces: Kiaang Chak [2:01]
1-21 Soloist;The Mahori Orchestra - Solo Pieces - Solo Pieces: Bamphee [1:58]
1-22 Soloist;The Mahori Orchestra - Solo Pieces - Solo Pieces: Rey [1:06]
1-23 Soloist;The Mahori Orchestra - Solo Pieces - Solo Pieces: Surin Knon Phnom [1:49]
1-24 Soloist;The Mahori Orchestra - Solo Pieces - Solo Pieces: Teak Domreay or Bang Koksheng [1:44]