0:00:02 > 0:00:05BBC Four Collections - specially chosen programmes
0:00:05 > 0:00:06from the BBC archive.
0:00:06 > 0:00:09For this collection, Sir David Attenborough
0:00:09 > 0:00:13has chosen documentaries from the start of his career.
0:00:13 > 0:00:15More programmes on this theme and other BBC Four Collections,
0:00:15 > 0:00:18are available on BBC iPlayer.
0:00:20 > 0:00:23BALINESE MUSIC
0:00:53 > 0:00:55DAVID ATTENBOROUGH: Most musical instruments in Bali
0:00:55 > 0:00:57are made of bronze -
0:00:57 > 0:00:59gongs in racks
0:00:59 > 0:01:01hanging gongs, cymbals,
0:01:01 > 0:01:04and many different kinds of metallophones -
0:01:04 > 0:01:07instruments like xylophones but with metal keys.
0:01:08 > 0:01:13Together with drums and flutes, they form orchestras called gamelan gong,
0:01:13 > 0:01:14which may have over 30 players
0:01:14 > 0:01:18and are the biggest musical ensemble in the world,
0:01:18 > 0:01:21except for the symphony orchestra of the West.
0:01:21 > 0:01:22In the village of Pliatan,
0:01:22 > 0:01:26the gamelan gong usually begins an evening of music and dancing
0:01:26 > 0:01:28with an overture specially composed
0:01:28 > 0:01:31to show off the orchestra's dazzling virtuosity.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34This one is called Kebyar Susun.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58MUSIC FADES
0:07:02 > 0:07:04Many of the dances of Bali are traditional.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06But like every other art in this island,
0:07:06 > 0:07:09dancing is continually developing.
0:07:09 > 0:07:13The dance that follows now was created as recently as 1951,
0:07:13 > 0:07:16by Mario, one of Bali's greatest dancers.
0:07:17 > 0:07:19Its story is simple - boy meets girl -
0:07:19 > 0:07:22only here they play the part of bumblebees.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25The girl is Gusti Ayu Raka,
0:07:25 > 0:07:29who created the role under Mario 17 years ago.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32The man, Anak Agung Banme, ends the dance
0:07:32 > 0:07:34by playing a triumphant melody
0:07:34 > 0:07:37on an ancient instrument called a terompong.
0:07:37 > 0:07:41The dance is called Tumulilingan Mengisap Sari,
0:07:41 > 0:07:43"The Bumblebee Sips Honey".
0:07:43 > 0:07:45MUSIC PLAYING
0:19:21 > 0:19:23MUSIC FADES
0:19:27 > 0:19:30There are many different kinds of musical ensemble in Bali,
0:19:30 > 0:19:33apart from the full-scale gamelan gong.
0:19:33 > 0:19:37Here are four - one of bamboo xylophones,
0:19:37 > 0:19:40another very ancient one of jaws harps,
0:19:40 > 0:19:43a small group of metallophones with bamboo shakers,
0:19:43 > 0:19:46and lastly, a quartet of metallophones,
0:19:46 > 0:19:49which produce one of the most melodious forms of chamber music
0:19:49 > 0:19:50to be found on the island
0:19:50 > 0:19:54and used to accompany the shadow play.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56MUSIC PLAYING
0:20:03 > 0:20:06ROOSTER CROWS
0:20:06 > 0:20:08CHILD SHOUTS
0:20:58 > 0:21:01MUSIC FADES
0:21:01 > 0:21:06JAWS HARPS AND FLUTES PLAY
0:23:26 > 0:23:30Now a warrior dance called a "baris".
0:23:30 > 0:23:32It's a dance of great nervous tension
0:23:32 > 0:23:36in which the warrior first preens himself in preparation for battle,
0:23:36 > 0:23:39and then seeks his enemy, looking for him in every direction
0:23:39 > 0:23:41as he nerves himself for the assault.
0:23:41 > 0:23:43MUSIC PLAYING
0:26:58 > 0:27:02For the finale, a "kecak", or "monkey dance".
0:27:02 > 0:27:05This has developed from the traditional choruses
0:27:05 > 0:27:07that accompany trance rituals.
0:27:07 > 0:27:09Indeed, singers in the kecak chorus
0:27:09 > 0:27:12may often, during a performance, come close to
0:27:12 > 0:27:14a state of trance themselves.
0:27:14 > 0:27:16There are many variations in different villages,
0:27:16 > 0:27:19but all are based on Hindu myths.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21Here in the village of Pliatan
0:27:21 > 0:27:26the story concerns the abduction of King Rama's wife Sita
0:27:26 > 0:27:28by the giant demon Ravana.
0:27:28 > 0:27:32Hanuman, prince of the monkeys, comes to her rescue
0:27:32 > 0:27:35aided by his monkey horde - the chorus.
0:27:35 > 0:27:40A CAPPELLA CHANTING
0:27:40 > 0:27:44A CAPPELLA SOLOIST AND CHORUS
0:36:41 > 0:36:42PERFORMANCE ENDS ABRUPTLY
0:36:45 > 0:36:48GAMELAN GONG PLAYS