For music lovers, Bali holidays can be an enlightening experience, with Balinese performances being rich, unique and rhythmic. Though it is little known, Balinese musical tradition has been influential on western music and throughout the world, and a number of well known composers have incorporated elements of Balinese influence into their works. Traditional Balinese music is as much about spiritual worship as it is about the musical notes. This gives the music a distinctly soulful feel, as the very heart of the melody lies in religious worship.

If you want to experience the interesting, traditional music of Bali, a holiday there offers the opportunity to be entertained by the village orchestras, or ‘gamelan,’ as they are locally called. A gamelan is made up of a number of band members, ranging from only a few to several dozen. The central focus of the gamelan is on percussion, and most of the instrumentalists play instruments such as the xylophone, glockenspiel, metallophones and gongs. But the gamelan is made up of other instruments too, with woodwind and strings incorporated into the compositions.

Bela Bartok and Balinese Music

The famous composer Bela Bartok took an interest in collecting folk music from around Europe, and he was interested in incorporating other musical traditions into western compositions. On hearing a gamelan perform, he was inspired to incorporate Balinese music into his own works, and he wanted to bring this musical form to western audiences. His Bali holiday inspired the composition of his piece No. 109, which was entitled ‘From the Island of Bali.’

Through Bartok, Balinese music became better known throughout Western Europe, and an interest was sparked in western music lovers. This has inspired many to take holidays to Bali, where the combination of staying in a Bali luxury hotel, and enjoying the spiritual performances of the gamelans, results in an exceptional experience.

Colin McPhee and Bali’s Tabuh-Tabuhan: Toccata

Colin McPhee’s chance encounter with a Balinese gamelan in New York sparked his interest in Bali, and his subsequent Bali holiday led him to dedicate a significant amount of time to exploring Balinese music. He lived there for a long period of time and even wrote a book detailing his life in Bali. He has also compiled a Bali holiday guide, detailing everything from hotels in Bali to its vibrant traditional music. While living in Bali, McPhee conducted an ethno-musicological study of the local music, and went on to complete his Tabuh-tabuhan: Toccata, a composition for which he received the Pulitzer Prize.

This unique Balinese work is divided into three movements: Ostinatos, Nocturne and Finale. To perform this work McPhee assembled his own gamelan, which was made up of two pianos and percussion instruments. The work is unique in that it fuses Balinese and western music together, with Balinese motifs in a typically western symphonic work. You will likely recognise these tunes at some point on your Bali holiday, in the music resounding from the temples and in the local village gamelan performances.

About the Author: Peter Vasiliou is a Bali holiday , specialist for key2holidays, an online tour operator offering Bali holidays as well as holidays to other destinations in the Far East; the Indian Ocean, Cuba and the Caribbean, Egypt, Southern Africa, Italy & the Mediterranean, Canada, Australia and the Pacific. key2holidays has a dedicated team of experienced travel consultants to share their knowledge and help you to plan and book your ideal holiday.

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While any normal person might think that the Maldives is brimming with luxury resorts, the newest kid on the block, the Shangri-La Villingili resort is being branded as the “first international luxury resort”.

Shangri-La Villingilli Resort Accommodations
The Shangri-La Villingilli Resort comprises a collection of impressive villas, ranging from the Pool Villa to the Villa Laalu, the most expensive. All the villas offer high-speed internet access, flat-screen televisions, Bose sound system, coffee machines, private sundecks, private swimming pools and indoor and outdoor showers. No need to mention that the design throughout the villas is utterly breathtaking and totally comfortable, with hints of Asian and Indian style.

Shangri-La Villingilli Resort Activities and Facilities
While the overall feeling at the Shangri-La Resort is one of relaxation, there are plenty of activities on offer for the more adventurous guests, including scuba diving, sailing, sports fishing, kayaking and even a day cruise on which lunch is served on the equator. You may be thinking a little more along the lines of an indulgent spa, in which case, you are in luck; the Shangri-La Resort has a full spa, called the CHI Spa, offering some of the most relaxing treatments in the world, with the ultimate being the four-hour “Himalayan Blue Moon Ritual”, a USD 475 delight comprising an oil-infused soak in the tub, healing stone massage and a mud body mask.

Shangri-La Villingilli Resort Food and Drink
The Shangri-La Villingilli Resort offers two restaurants, Javvu and Khazaanaga and four lounge-bars, all of which serve a delicious menu of drinks and snacks, from freshly caught fish to delightfully refreshing cocktails. The restaurants and bars have differing dress codes and styles, so choose one that goes with your mood that day. Whichever you choose, the food, drinks and service at Shangri-La Villingilli will not disappoint.

Shangri-La Villingilli Resort Events
The Shangri-La Villingilli Resort offers a variety of event planning services to fulfil your needs, whether they be corporate getaways or your wedding, you will find a team of people eager to please and make this a truly memorable occasion for you and your loved ones or colleagues.

Staying at Shangri-La Resort is not cheap, but if you can afford it, it will definitely be worth it. The resort is currently running a promotional opening offer which starts at USD 860 per night, and that’s for the cheap room! For more information, visit the Shangri-La Villingilli Resort website. If you have already visited the hotel, why not write a review of your experience at Maldives Reviews

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