Cambodia: Traditional Music, Vol. 1: Instrumental and Vocal Pieces

Traditional Cambodian music can be heard at a number of occasions — for example, spiritual rites, weddings, Buddhist festivals, and performances of shadow theatre (a kind of shadow puppetry). In Cambodia: Traditional Music, Vol. 1, the Phleng Khmer Ensemble and Pinpeat Ensemble play instruments such as the khse diev (one–string lute), phlom slek (“blow leaf”), pai–ar (bamboo flute), chhing (hand cymbals), and skor arak (small drum). The musicians improvise words and vocables around an underlying structure and follow their fellow performers to create complex layers of rhythm.

RELATED LESSON PLAN
"Celebrate Cambodia: Khmer Festival and Wedding Music"

Track Listing

101	Khse diev (String single [instrument])	Monochord lute solo	03:11
102	Phlom slek (Blow leaf)	Blown leaf solo	03:32
103	Krom phleng khmer	Khmer male singer with Krom Phleng Khmer (ensemble)	05:15
104	Krom phleng kar: Hom rong (Overture to Wedding Ceremony)	Krom Phleng Kar	02:52
105	Chhayam (Percussion ensemble)	Chayyam percussion ensemble with male vocals	06:22
106	Krom phleng pinpeat	Musicians of the Royal Palace	02:07
107	Mohori	Mohori musicians of the Royal Palace	05:19
108	Krom phleng pinpeat	Musicians of the Royal Palace	04:11
109	Krom phleng pinpeat	Musicians of the Royal Palace	06:56