I have no experience with gamelan as I am strictly a Western-style percussionist. However, I commissioned this unique instrument in order to perform Claude Vivier’s percussion solo Cinq Chansons pour Percussion (1980) – one of the masterworks of the percussion repertoire. Vivier’s work requires a bonang consisting of 16 pots tuned to specific pitches from the “chromatic” scale to be played in conjunction with 9 Thai gongs, 3 Japanese temple bells and a large Chinese gong. In addition, I commissioned Jody Diamond to compose a new work for this very special instrument. I feel extremely fortunate that mas Suhirdjan was able to create this beautiful instrument before his untimely death. The extraordinary sounds that emanate from this bonang will always be in memory of him.