Dewa Budjana & Czech Symphony Orchestra — Praguenayama (Moonjune Records, 2026)
Indonesian guitarist and composer Dewa Budjana returns with Praguenayama, a fabulous 2026 project recorded with the Czech Symphony Orchestra at Czech Television Studio Prague. The remarkable release revisits three earlier compositions and adds two new works written for the session. A notable fact: Dewa himself provided the orchestral arrangements, a man of many talents.
In Praguenayama, Dewa Budjana’s compositions celebrate the beauty to be found in difference, contrast, and opposites. Throughout the album, Budjana combines reflective passages with more forceful turns. The refreshing orchestral backdrop is balanced and countered by the striking variations and innovations of Budjana’s virtuosic guitar melodies.
The orchestra’s contribution was completed in less than a day with a minimum of overdubs and takes. Consequently, the album has a fresh, spontaneous feel.
Several tracks revisit pieces Budjana had recorded before. Here, the orchestral setting changes their character through added depth, dynamic range, and contrast. The two new compositions, meanwhile, align closely with the album’s central idea: difference as a source of coherence.
The first track, “Pranayama,” is exquisite. It relies on recurring, memorable melodic guitar phrases and a restrained pace to establish a contemplative atmosphere.
“On the Way Home” has a timeless, cinematic feel with a deep Indonesian traditional music undercurrent and a superb acoustic guitar section.
The orchestra plays a key role on “Sasih Sadha” with triumphant brass, charming strings and more Indonesian melodic flavors. Eventually, exquisite guitar joins the fun with delicate, expressive, and skillful lines.
On the beatific “Dreamland,” Shadu Rasjidi’s fretless bass plays a prominent role, while Cucu Kurnia on kendang and Aji Sangajie on handpan introduce rhythms and sounds that connect Indonesian and Western elements. Dewa Budjana joins in with an anthemic guitar section.
“Karma” moves in a more dramatic direction. String lines and guitar parts push the piece forward through a series of swells and shifts, and the music builds toward a strong electric guitar conclusion.
Musicians: Dewa Budjana on guitars, soundscapes; Czech Symphony Orchestra conducted by Michaela Růžičkova with first violin: Ludvík Sklenář; first cello: Pavel Běloušek. Additional musicians: Shadu Rasjidi on fretless bass (Pranayama, Dreamland); Cucu Kurnia on kendang (Pranayama, On the Way Home, Sasih Sadha); and Aji Sang Aji on handpan (Pranayama).
Sound Engineer: Milan Jílek.
Coordinator: Lenka Mrázková.
Additional musicians recorded at Temple Island Studio (Jakarta, Indonesia), except for handpan, recorded at Posko Studio (Bali, Indonesia).
Mixed and mastered by Rich Breen at Dogmatic Sound, Burbank (California, USA).
Cover artwork by Aga Dilaga. Front cover photo of Dewa Budjana by Dewandra.