Cambodia

Cambodia by Vu Pham The old Cambodian also known as the Khmer have 3 category of music which are pin peat, the ceremonial music of the former royal courts; phleng kar, the songs of the wedding ceremony. And mahori, secular entertainment music, also originating in the royal courts. The Mahori a type of classical ensemble which was traditionally played by women in the courts of both Central Thailand and Cambodia. The instruments include the xylophone and gong from the Piphat and string instruments form the Khruang Sai ensemble. Both Piphat and Khruang Sai are musical ensembles of Thailand and here the Cambodian and Thailand women brought them together and create Mahori. Mahori is originally a type of entertainment for the court of ancient Khmer. The Phleng Kar is a piece music that is a major component in a Khmer wedding. There are six musicians in the ensemble. They use two types of fiddles one dulcimer (a melodic fiddle that leads the whole ensemble and the bass fiddled),, one Takhe (two-string dulcimer), one drum and a singer. The Phleng Kar has a sober and very emotional melody as it is play the early morning of the wedding day to the conclusion of the ceremony (the thread-tying and the blessing) early next day. The music is for the bride and the groom to reflect about their lives, from the day they were born, how they have been raised, the good deeds of their parents, and the journey ahead as a married person. The Pin beat is yet another ensemble that consist of mostly wind and percussion. It is one of the most ancient type of music in Cambodia as it goes back to the day of the construction of the Angkor Watt. It is mostly played as the background of rituals and events and sometimes performance but it is usually played at more serious events than the Mahori. It also have a funeral version that is said to be able to bring tears to people. sample music media type="file" key="Reatrey_Tee_Mouy_Phleng_kar,First_night_of_wedding,Touch_Sunich.mp3" media type="file" key="khmer_pinpeat_-_riahue.mp3" media type="file" key="Khmer_mahori.mp3"