Karawitan: source readings in Javanese Gamelan and vocal music (book review)

This review assesses the first volume of Karawitan: Source Readings in Javanese Gamelan and Vocal Music, a scholarly anthology of translated Javanese and Indonesian texts related to gamelan performance practice. Edited by Judith Becker with assistance from Alan Feinstein, the volume compiles foundational writings by authors such as Martopangrawit, Sumarsam, Sindoesawarno, and others. The review praises the book’s balance of academic rigor and practical accessibility, highlighting its value as a comprehensive reference for students and practitioners of Central Javanese karawitan. Special attention is given to Martopangrawit's extensive treatise on gamelan structure and performance, and to articles that examine sulukan, pathet, inner melody, and symbolic interpretations.