Style: Orgen
The origins and context for orgen stand apart from saluang, the style is found frequently as daytime entertainment at weddings and other life-cycle events. However, the musical style--the instrumentation and repertoire or orgen--has been incorporated into some saluang performances, such as performances that involve mixed musical styles, like bagurau lapiak and other contexts at the request of the event host. For example, at the wedding in Sariak Laweh, an orgen performer and a vocalist had been arranged in addition to the saluang klasik group contracted.
On this website, we focus on orgen as it is incorporated into the saluang world, not how it exists outside of it.
Performer line up:
- one keyboard player
- padendang present who do dual duty covering saluang specific repertoire AND the popular music repertoire affiliated with orgen.
- It is important to note that the saluang itself is NOT used, even if the song is from saluang repertoire.
Economics: These performers would be contracted in advance (e.g. Sariak Laweh) and/or are a part of the saluang group (e.g. Bagurau Lapiak at Payokumbuah Market and Ngalau)
Performance Space: Outside on or nearby makeshift stage with saluang performers.
Amplification: Massive speaker systems.
Repertoire: As a musical style, orgen involves a range of popular music genres, including pop Minang, dangdut Minang, and other genres. When incorporated into saluang performances, it can involve all this repertoire but also cover saluang songs, though typically those that are identified as "gembira."
Time frame: Orgen has been popular for decades. It is the most economical musical style to engage for a wedding. Its incorporation into saluang is more recent.
Region: As a musical style, it is found throughout the entire Minangkabau region.