kroncong

Keroncong or Kroncong (, ; ) refers to both a specific –, a ukulele-like Javanese instrument, and a unique classical colonial Java and Eastern Indonesian (particularly Maluku and eastern East Nusa Tenggara) musical genre that evolved and first developed in Java Island, especially at the Java port cities of Sunda Kelapa in Greater Jakarta, Semarang and Surakarta in Central Java, as well as Surabaya in East Java, dates back to at least 16th century. It is characterized by its lilting rhythm, distinctive sound from interlocking –. A Kroncong orchestra (especially in Java), traditionally consists of a blend of local and European instruments like violins, European flutes, cellos and bass (usually in Pizzicato-style), pair of Kroncong (–) and a vocalist (usually, but not limited to a female vocalist, traditionally taken from Pasindhèn – a Javanese vocalist in Javanese orchestra).

Although the term Kroncong is a native Javanese term in origin, the Kroncong as a musical genre and instrument is an adaptation of a European (particularly the Portuguese and Dutch) musical tradition, brought by the European colonizers to the Java and Eastern Indonesian port cities in the 16th century.