The era of the Khmer Empire has seen the beginnings of the famous Khmer music and it has taken its place as an important aspect of the Cambodian culture, leaving behind all other ethnic music of Cambodia.
It was the Angkorskaya period that saw Khmer music flourish and it spread its wings to envelope all religious ceremonies and temple celebrations among others. The beauty of Khmer music and dance reveals itself in the numerous sculptures on the Angkor temple walls. All the musical instruments used are depicted in the most glorious way.
Khmer music was initially used to communicate with God and to summon the spirits. The sound that came out from all the instruments was believed to have this capacity.
Khmer music is five-tone or pentatonic with a rhythm determining the structure. This is the reason the shock instruments, such as the drums, double kettle-drums and gongs hold the main place in an orchestra. To the westerner, it may seem to lack harmony, as the music from one musician may give a different tune from that of the others.
The three categories of classical Khmer music are: Pinpeat, music belonging to the royal courts of the past; Phleng kar, songs sung during weddings; and Mahori, music for entertainment which also belonged to the royal courts and uses string instruments. Pinpeat is the most famous and uses both string and percussion instruments. Any classical performance or religious ceremony is incomplete without Pinpeat. Dating back to the Angkor era, it has come to be known as the strongest ensemble of all Khmer music ensembles. Each and every one of the theme melodies of the Pinpeat ensemble are related to stage performances. This particular music, with its melodious and beautiful sounds, is said to have the power of eliciting immense happiness in people.
Several other ensembles owe their birth to the Pinpeat; such as the phlaeng mahaori, khlang chnak and phlaeng. Most music ensembles found today in the villages are derivatives and similar to the ensembles from the past. In these villages, actors perform plays wearing masks and Cambodian women dance to the Pinpeat percussive ensemble even today.
In the absence of any notation for Khmer music, it has always been passed down from the master to the disciple. This led to improvisation and slowly American influences began to be noticed. Western musical instruments such as the flute, guitar and organ are used in the modern version of Mahori/Mahori Samai.
Khmer musicians believe in achieving perfection in playing one instrument, while at the same time gaining basic knowledge in all other instruments. This helps in several ways - in making them perfect as musicians and every musician understands all the instruments.
Cambodia's cultural heritage took a beating during the Khmer Rouge. Although, that period in history is unforgettable and the wounds of the hurt remain, Khmer music helps to a large extent in keeping alive the centuries old rich Khmer culture and enchants people with its sweet melody, as thought it is helping them communicate with God.
It was the Angkorskaya period that saw Khmer music flourish and it spread its wings to envelope all religious ceremonies and temple celebrations among others. The beauty of Khmer music and dance reveals itself in the numerous sculptures on the Angkor temple walls. All the musical instruments used are depicted in the most glorious way.
Khmer music was initially used to communicate with God and to summon the spirits. The sound that came out from all the instruments was believed to have this capacity.
Khmer music is five-tone or pentatonic with a rhythm determining the structure. This is the reason the shock instruments, such as the drums, double kettle-drums and gongs hold the main place in an orchestra. To the westerner, it may seem to lack harmony, as the music from one musician may give a different tune from that of the others.
The three categories of classical Khmer music are: Pinpeat, music belonging to the royal courts of the past; Phleng kar, songs sung during weddings; and Mahori, music for entertainment which also belonged to the royal courts and uses string instruments. Pinpeat is the most famous and uses both string and percussion instruments. Any classical performance or religious ceremony is incomplete without Pinpeat. Dating back to the Angkor era, it has come to be known as the strongest ensemble of all Khmer music ensembles. Each and every one of the theme melodies of the Pinpeat ensemble are related to stage performances. This particular music, with its melodious and beautiful sounds, is said to have the power of eliciting immense happiness in people.
Several other ensembles owe their birth to the Pinpeat; such as the phlaeng mahaori, khlang chnak and phlaeng. Most music ensembles found today in the villages are derivatives and similar to the ensembles from the past. In these villages, actors perform plays wearing masks and Cambodian women dance to the Pinpeat percussive ensemble even today.
In the absence of any notation for Khmer music, it has always been passed down from the master to the disciple. This led to improvisation and slowly American influences began to be noticed. Western musical instruments such as the flute, guitar and organ are used in the modern version of Mahori/Mahori Samai.
Khmer musicians believe in achieving perfection in playing one instrument, while at the same time gaining basic knowledge in all other instruments. This helps in several ways - in making them perfect as musicians and every musician understands all the instruments.
Cambodia's cultural heritage took a beating during the Khmer Rouge. Although, that period in history is unforgettable and the wounds of the hurt remain, Khmer music helps to a large extent in keeping alive the centuries old rich Khmer culture and enchants people with its sweet melody, as thought it is helping them communicate with God.
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