Java suite is composed for the piano by the American composer Leopold Godowsky between 1924 and 1925, depicting various scenes in the island of Java, Indonesia after travelling there. Described as a “Phonorama“, each movement provides a vivid depiction of Javanese culture.

Lasting approximately 50 minutes long, this piece is incredibly technically challenging and is completed with harmonic and melodic brilliance, which makes for an incredible listening experience. Overall, the suite is split into 4 parts, each consisting of 3 movements that paints a picture of Javanese culture.

Here’s my opinion on each movement:

Gamelan: the music ebbs and flows to perfection with absorbing harmonies, rhythm and climaxes. (10/10)
Wayang-Purwa, Puppet Shadow Plays: mellow and mysterious, but this lacks golden moments for me, yet overall still a solid movement. (7/10)
Hari Besaar: The Great Day: it is very upbeat, and the way Godowsky incorporates traitional Javanese melodies is epic. This is a great way to start your day in the morning. (9/10)
Chattering Monkeys at the Sacred Lake of Wendit: it’s quite a humorous movement, with the monkeys’ playfulness. This is a perfect depiction of monkeys but isn’t really my cup of tea. (7/10)
Boro-Budur in Moonlight: mysterious and subdued, while the night-time theme is apparent. The highlight of this piece has to be its wonderful harmonies. (8.5/10)
Bromo Volcano and the Sand Sea at Daybreak: it is truly majestic in its description of two grandiose natural constructions: a volcano and the sea. It is a truly refreshing piece, and is also very apt to start off your day. This movement also serves as my first introduction of the suite. (9/10)
Three Dances: from the start, it is obvious, with their rhythmic natures, that these are dance pieces, with each one faster than the last. Even though they are not depicting a physical monument, their rhythmic nature makes this one of the most memorable movements (9.5/10)
The Gardens of Buitenzorg: this is a fairly standard slow-movement in this suite, bar its passionate climax in the middle, whose build up and resolution proves to be a certain highlight for this movement. (7.5/10)
In the Streets of Old Batavia: to me, this movement is comparable to Hari-Besaar: The Great Day, in its fast tempo and its excitement. What makes this movement even better is that it has languid sections that is worthy of reflection. (9/10)
In the Kraton: despite having mostly music that is subdued and contemplative, a theme introduced in the middle proves to be absolutely magical, and its development into a climax is one of the key moments of the whole suite (9.5/10)
The Ruined Water Castle at Djokja: fully of wavy textures, the aquatic theme of this movement is apparent, and with its Indonesian style, it proves to be consderably different to other water-themed pieces that we enjoy. (8/10)
A Court Pageant in Solo: this truly joyous movement marks the end of our tonal journey to Java, and indeed this is a fitting one: its triumphant nature reminds me of a ecstatic celebration, especially its epic conclusion. (8.5/10)

Find the score here

Here’s what Godowsky has to say regarding each movement.

Part One

1. Gamelan

“Native music, played by the Javanese on their indigenous instruments, is called Gamelan. The Javanese ensemble is a kind of exotic orchestra, consisting mainly of diversely shaped and constructed percussive instruments of metal, wood and bamboo, comprising various kinds and sizes of bells, chimes, gongs, sounding boards, bowls, pans, drums. (some barrel-like), tom-toms, native xylophones, sonorous alang-alang (zephyr-like, aeolian harp-like) and other unique music implements. The only stringed instrument I could discern was the ancient, guitar-shaped reéaé, which is held by the leader in a position similar to that of the lute.

Both rulers of the two Sultanates of central Java: the Susuhunan of Solo and the Sultan of Djokja, and the two independent princes, Manku Negoro of Solo and Paku Alam of Djokja, have the best, largest and most complete native orchestras (Gumelan). They own old instruments of inestimable value, the enchanting sonority of which is attributable to the mellowing process of time.

The sonority of the Gamelan is so weird, spectral, fantastic and bewitching, the native music so elusive, vague, shimmering and singular, that on listening to this new world of sound I lost my sense of reality, imagining myself in a realm of enchantment. Nothing seen or experienced in Java conveyed so strongly the mysterious and strange character of the island and its inhabitants.

The Gamelan produces most ethereal pianissimos, particularly entrancing when heard from a distance. It is like a perfume of sound, like a musical breeze. Usually the music, beginning very softly and languidly, becomes faster and louder as the movement progresses, rising, at last, to a barbaric climax.

In this, the first of the descriptive scenes, I have endeavored to recreate a Gamelan sonority : a typically Javanese atmosphere. Except for the one chromatic variation(pages 9-10),which is intentionally Occidental,the movement is almost exclusively diatonic and decidedly Oriental (Far Eastern).”

2. Wayang-Purwa, Puppet Shadow Plays

“This ancient, characteristically Javanese quasi-histrionic entertainment, produced on festive occasions, is very popular in Java. It symbolises to the Javanese their past historical greatness; their hopes, aspirations and national solidarity. To the subdued accompaniment of the Gamelan, the Dalang, manager, actor, musician, singer, reciter and improvisator, all in one, recites classic Hindu epics, or modernized and localized versions of them, or other mythical or historical tales and East Indian legends, while grotesque, flat leather puppets throw shadows on a white screen to interpret and illustrate the reciter’s stories. These puppets the Dalang manipulates by means of bamboo rods. Wayang-Purwa is somewhat of a combination of Punch and Judy and Chinese shadows.”

3. Hari Besaar, The Great Day

“The Kermess - the Country Fair - is here.

From plantations and hamlets natives flock to the town that is the center of the bright, joyous celebrations, naive, harmless amusements. They throw themselves. eagerly into the whirl ‘of festivities, enjoying the excitement and animation.

Actors, musicians, dancers and fakirs contribute to the pleasures of the people and to the picturesqueness of the scene.

The Great Day - Hari Besaar!”

Part Two

4. Chattering Monkeys at the Sacred Lake of Wendit

“The Sacred Lake of Wendit is several miles distant from the attractive little city of Malang. In the woods, near the Take, we find ourselves in one of the numerous Simian colonies of Java, among the aborigines of the forest, enjoying an intimale view of their tribal life. On every side are jabbering monkeys, hundreds of them, jumping from tree to tree, running up and down the trunks and branches, while others; nearer the ground, are springing on and off the roofs of the small hotel and the bath houses, snatching bananas from the visitors.

The scene is full of humor, fun and animation.”

5. Boro Budur in Moonlight

“On a sacred hill, in the heart of Java, some thirty miles from Djokja, stand the colossal ruins of the most imposing and gigantic Buddhist monument in existence, the world-famous temple of Boro Budur, “The Shrine of the Many Buddhas.” No matter how blasé the weary traveler may be, he cannot fail to be stirred and bewildered by the stupendous masonry and by the hundreds of sculptured Buddhas, images and basreliefs. The amazing dimensions and incredible craftsmanship enrapture the senses; the loftiness of conception, the luxuriance of imagination thrill the beholder.

In moonlight, Boro Budur is most fantastic. “An uncanny, eerie, melancholy mood permeates the whole almosphere.Deep silence and a sense of strangeness and out-of-the-worldness contribute to the impression of utter desolation and to the feeling of inevitable decay ‘and dissolution of all things earthly, the hopeless struggle of human endeavor against eternity.”

6. The Bromo Volcano and the Sand Sea at Daybreak

“Reaching the Sand Sea from Tosari, the most famous mountain resort in Java, we crossed the sea of sand, perhaps the vast- est amphitheatre in the world, arriving at the Bromo crater at dawn.

A marvelous sunrise enhanced the terrifying hugeness and transcendental grandeur of this awe-inspiring panorama. The boiling, roaring, rumbling subterranean forces, seething and spouting up from abysmal depths, the sulphurous vapors and. dense clouds, spreading steadily and menacingly over the horizon, suggested scenes from Dante's Inferno, and brought to realization the fact that cataclysmic activities, everlasting fires in the bowels of the earth, threaten all that is alive.

The appalling thought of the frailty of all human institutions was overwhelming. Cui Bono?.......

But the bright sun, shedding its glorious light and: dispelling all fear and gloom, changed the feeling of a crushing futility into an ecstatic triumphal ode. The mere consciousness that such elemental powers exist, alleviates the pain of living. An overpowering feeling of humility, of compassion and tenderness toward all things. alive, a passionate adoration for the unknown source of all consciousness, filled the soul.

And then we returned........ “

Part Three

7. Three Dances

“It is doubtful if there is a people in any part of the world whose innermost feelings are so wholly revealed in their dances as are the Javanese.

And whether religious or secular, warlike or peaceful, spiritual or sensuous, these dances are always beautiful.

The first of the “Three Dances” expresses the languor and melancholy of the Far East; the second, the grace and charm of the Oriental dancers; the third, their poetry and tenderness, translated into an Occidental idiom.”

8. The Gardens of Buitenzorg

“Buitenzorg, meaning “Sans Souci” and pronounced Boy-ten-sorg, forty miles from Batavia, is the country capital of Java, where the Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies has his residence. His spacious palace is situated in a large park which forms part of the most famous Botanical Gardens in the world.

The finest collection of tropical trees, plants and flowers is to be found in the gardens ofthis distant corner of our Earth. The profusion, richness, magnificence and beauty of this strange horticultural world are unparalleled.

The fragrant frangipanis, the white tuberoses(the Malay call them “The Charmers of the Night”) and a bewildering number of other most delicately scented flowers intoxicate the senses.

The heavily perfumed air awakens an inexpressibly deep and painful yearning for unknown worlds, for inaccessible ideals, for past happenings irrevocably gone—these memories which the ocean of time gradually submerges and finally buries in oblivion......

Why do certain scents produce unutterable regrets, insatiable longings, indefinable desires?”

9. In the Streets of Old Batavia

“To stroll in the old streets of lower Batavia is an exhilarating experience. As we wander near the seashore, through the crowded bazaars and busy, narrow streets, many of which are intersected by bricked canals lined with weather-beaten buildings in the Dutch style, we meet exotic crowds, consisting mainly of Chinese, Arabs, natives and other Asiatics, interspersed with Europeans, of whom the Dutch form a large majority.

A ramble through the hectic Chinese quarter leads us to a quiet and contemplative corner of the Arab settlement. Another turn brings us to the native quarter. And when the bazaars are reached, a kaleidoscopic, multifarious conglomeration of humans bewilders even the most seasoned globe-trotter.”

Part Four

10. In the Kraton

“Surakarta, popularly called Solo, and Djokjakarta, commonly shortened to Djokja, are the most important and interesting native cities in Java. .

The greatest ruler— The Susuhunan — resides in Solo, while the next in importance, the Sultan of Djokja, lives in the last named capital. In the heart of each capital is a vast enclosure called the Kraton, in which the potentate has his palaces and wherein dwell besides the Sultan, Sultana and princes and princesses, his numerous concubines, slaves and servants, court officials, nobles, musi-cians, actors, dancers, workmen, tradespeople and many individuals with indefinable occupations. Each Kraton has a population of between ten and fifteen thousand, the ensemble constituting a court of huge dimensions.

It is evening. Quaint scenes charm our vision. Faint sounds of the entrancing Gamelan fill the fragrant air. The seemingly unreal reality casts a hypnotic spell over our consciousness.

There is poetry in every ebbing moment.

It is evening in the Orient.......”

11. The Ruined Water Castle at Djokja

“Near the Kraton of Djokja, deserted, fallen into decay, stand the mouldy and crumbling remains of the once resplendent Water Palace, with its murmuring fountains and splashing cascades, with its aquatic pranks and air-filling scents of exotic flowers. Where once was merriment, there is now the mystery and romance of vanished days, the sadness of evanescent pleasures, The fountains and cascades murmur memories of yesteryears - yearning for past joys, mourning for departed love....”

12. A Court Pageant in Solo

“The pomp, bombast and gorgeousness of a royal procession on a festive occasion or court function in either of the two native capitals make a dazzling and grotesque spectacle. The exuberance and abandon of the natives, the force and charm of the native rhythms, challenge description.

The clanging and clashing march opens the event. Strongly emphasized ih the middle section (F sharp minor) of this closing composition, is that strain of sadness ever present in the music of the Orient. The hilarious mood is resumed with the Fugato, which leads back to an intensified version of the barbaric march.”

And here these tonal journeys come to an end.”

Piece Collage: Java Suite

Scriabin: A Nation