1,500 spectators overwhelmed by Independence Symphony<\/p>\n
BOGOR (JP): It looked like Vienna at night, only the venue was
\nthe Bogor Palace, where 1,500 people in formal attire were
\nenjoying a historic concert called Simponi Kemerdekaan
\n(Independence Symphony) presented by the Twilite Orchestra.<\/p>\n
The concert opened with the national anthem Indonesia Raya,
\nwhich Twilite Orchestra director Addie M.S. said was being
\npresented correctly for the first time. And, without any
\nprompting, everybody in the audience stood up from their chairs
\nand listened attentively to the song.<\/p>\n
It was only appropriate that the Twilite Orchestra presented
\nIndonesia Raya at last night's concert which was held as part of
\nthe celebrations of the country's 50th anniversary.<\/p>\n
\"The Indonesia Raya we often hear is improperly sung or
\nplayed, and not in accordance with its original arrangement,\"
\nsaid Addie in an interview with The Jakarta Post last week.<\/p>\n
\"Maybe this is the first time Indonesia Raya has been fully
\norchestrated in a proper and correct way,\" Addie added.<\/p>\n
Simponi Kemerdekaan consisted of compositions by noted
\nIndonesian and foreign composers, including Ismail Marzuki, as
\nwell as famous regional songs. The 63-member orchestra performed
\non an open-air, 600-square-meter stage in front of the palace.
\nGuests sat on the green lawn under a moonlit sky, savoring the
\nmelodies of the past presented by the orchestra backed by a 60-
\nmember choir led by Ronald Pohan and a number of noted Indonesian
\nsingers, including Koes Hendratmo, Titiek Puspa and Andi Meriem
\nMattalata.<\/p>\n
Minister of Justice Oetoyo Usman and Minister of Tourism Post,
\nTelecommunications Joop Ave and a number of prominent
\nbusinessmen, including Prajogo Pangestu, Hashim Djojohadikusumo,
\nNugroho B. Sukamdani and William Surjadjaja were in the audience.<\/p>\n
Twilite closed the concert with Peter I. Tchaikovsky's 1812
\nOverture, which was accompanied by a firework show from behind
\nthe palace building. The firework display lent power to the song,
\nleaviong the audience transfixed in their chairs. As soon as the
\nsong was over, the stood up and gave a long applause, asking for
\nmore. The orchestra played another three songs, Winter Games,
\nJali Jali and Bagimu Negri.<\/p>\n
\"I enjoyed the concert very much. This orchestra deserves
\npraise for its effort to teach us to appreciate this kind of
\ndifficult music,\" said prominent businesswoman Dewi Motik.<\/p>\n
She added that the concert was an indication that the country
\nhas achieved a certain economic success that enables the
\ngovernment and people to pay attention to this type of music.<\/p>\n
Minister Joop Ave shared Dewi's delight in the concert, adding
\nthat it was high time the country had a proper concert hall.<\/p>\n
\"Ministers Wardiman and Habibie (the ministers of education
\nand culture and of technology, respectively) and I are actually
\nplanning to build a proper concert hall in Jakarta,\" said Joop.<\/p>\n
Concert supervisor Ishadi said although the concert ran as
\nplanned, there are many things still to be learned about putting
\non such presentations.<\/p>\n
\"We are not experienced in holding open-air concerts, that's
\nwhy we invited foreign consultants to handle the sound system
\nand lighting,\" said Ishadi. \"If not properly handled, the sound
\nwon't come out well.\"<\/p>\n
The Twilite Orchestra spent a only week to prepare for the
\nconcert due to high rehearsal expenses.<\/p>\n
\"A rehearsal costs Rp 150,000 (US$ 66),\" said Addie.<\/p>\n
The high cost is partly due to the fact that half of the
\nTwilite Orchestra's members are lecturers at Yogyakarta's
\nInstitute of Arts. The management has to provide accommodations
\nand cover travel expenses for them.<\/p>\n
Last night's show cost over Rp 500 million (US$222,222), minus
\nthe rent for the palace.<\/p>\n
Maybe the lack of practice explains the orchestra's lackluster
\nperformance last night. The sounds from the various instruments
\njust did not blend. But despite the shortcomings, the Twilite
\nOrchestra's attempts at providing good entertainment calls for
\napplause. After all, not many people are willing to spend their
\ntime and energy for this kind of music in Indonesia. (swa)<\/p>",
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