Concert profits to help local classical music<\/p>\n
By Yudha Kartohadiprodjo<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): An Evening of Women in Music, a concert
\nfeaturing top women musicians, will take place on Friday night to
\nraise money to help publish Indonesian classical music.<\/p>\n
The charity show, held at the ASEAN Secretariat building on
\nJl. Sisingamangaraja in South Jakarta, features Aida Swenson's
\nYouth Choir, violinist Sharon Eng, pianist Ary Sutedja, Grace
\nSudargo's Capella Amadeus String Orchestra and Trisutji Kamal
\nEnsemble.<\/p>\n
If you are a lover of classical music, you will be familiar
\nwith the performers, but you may nevertheless wonder about the
\nconcert's purpose.<\/p>\n
You might ask whether Indonesian classical music does really
\nexist.<\/p>\n
Western classical composers are well known to many of us --
\nMozart, Haydn and Chopin are all household names, but who has
\never heard of an Indonesian classical composer?<\/p>\n
"Classical music is music that has been composed according to
\ncertain standards that have been established for centuries," said
\nGus Kairupan, the chairman of Music Publishing Fund.<\/p>\n
He said that these forms, such as sonata, symphony, and
\noverture have not changed for years. The term is no longer
\nrestricted to music from the Classical era, which occurred in
\nEurope in the middle of the 18th century.<\/p>\n
Many Indonesian composers have composed in such forms. Amir
\nPasaribu, Mochtar Embut and Jaya Suprana, to name but three.
\nSome, like Trisutji Kamal have gained recognition from fellow
\ncomposers and musicians outside Indonesia.<\/p>\n
"During my trip to Europe, many asked whether my music has
\nbeen published," Trisutji said. Trisutji has been composing for
\nthe last 40 years. In her entire music career, her work has been
\nput into print just once, by PT Gramedia in 1979.<\/p>\n
Although classical music is timeless, time is running out for
\nthe chance to publish the work of many Indonesian composers.<\/p>\n
"Many composers from Indonesia's revolutionary era have died.
\nTheir wives or family may not have the means or inclination to
\npreserve the music," said Debra Yatim of Komseni, Communication
\nfor Arts Foundation, which is helping to organize the concert.<\/p>\n
"These compositions have not been published. That is why many
\ncomposers have never received any royalties and that is why their
\nworks are rarely heard," said Gus.<\/p>\n
In the early days, aristocrats were the patrons of musicians
\nand composers. Even though some of the patrons genuinely loved
\nmusic, pieces were published largely to enhance the prestige of
\nthese wealthy patrons.<\/p>\n
"The reason why we have not heard of Indonesian classical
\nmusic is because our composers' music has not been published
\nproperly," said Gus.<\/p>\n
Publishing entails proof reading, printing, distribution of
\nthe manuscripts and payment of royalties to the composer for
\npublic performances. Proof reading alone can take up to one
\nmonth.<\/p>\n
"The process of proof reading takes a lot of time because a
\npublisher has to think through the sound and tone in his head,
\nwhile book publishers have to deal only with words," said Gus.<\/p>\n
The effort required presents a significant obstacle to
\npublishing music, but raising funds to do so is also no mean
\nfeat.<\/p>\n
During Indonesia's boom years, Trisutji and her fellow
\ncomposers attempted to raise money to publish their work, but got
\nnowhere because it is not a profitable venture for publishers.
\nClassical music books and recordings have limited sales potential
\nand reach out to a limited market. Once recorded, however,
\nclassical music has a much longer shelf life than pop music in
\nrecord stores.<\/p>\n
"It was a brave move by PT Gramedia, sales were really slow,
\nbut finally the books were all sold," Trisutji said recalling the
\nissue of her only printed book of music. Many buyers were music
\nschool students who were required to have an Indonesian composer
\nin their repertoire.<\/p>\n
In the United States, many composers publish their own music
\nin loose leaf form and in small print runs. Some publishers and
\nfoundations are also prepared to print anthologies of music in
\nlarger volumes.<\/p>\n
Many Indonesian composers, including Trisutji and Addie Ms.,
\nwrite their own music on computers and distribute copies to their
\nfriends.<\/p>\n
Although in itself not enough to publish music, funds raised
\nby the concert will help to support and encourage composers who
\nare seeking to publish their music.<\/p>\n
"The funds will help composers prepare scripts and find seek
\nout publishers willing to release their work," said Debra.<\/p>\n
An Evening of Women in Music brings ASEAN Women's Month to a
\nclose.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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