Indonesian Philharmonic Orchestra embraces ethnic nuances<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): An orchestra performing classical music is
\ntypical. But one presenting a blend of classical and ethnic music
\nis unique.<\/p>\n
That is just what the Indonesian Philharmonic Orchestra is
\ndoing. It is the commitment of this newly established orchestra
\n-- led by noted conductor Yazeed Djamin -- to provide more space
\nfor classical composition with ethnic nuances.<\/p>\n
In its premier performance on Tuesday evening, the 80-member
\norchestra presented several compositions, including Yazeed's Nyi
\nRonggeng, Maladi's Nyiur Hijau Variations, Joko S.' Ondel-Ondel
\nand Polovtsian Dance, a piece by Russian composer A. Borodin.<\/p>\n
To present compositions with ethnic tones like Nyi Ronggeng
\n(Miss Ronggeng), Yazeed embraced traditional instruments,
\nincluding the suling (Sundanese flute) and gendang (percussion
\ninstruments). He also made use of two sinden, or Sundanese folk
\nsingers.<\/p>\n
\"Indonesians are more familiar with jaipongan dance rather
\nthan ronggeng dance, which has now almost vanished. We have the
\nobligation to prevent this from happening,\" Yazeed said of his
\nreason for presenting Nyi Ronggeng.<\/p>\n
Nyi Ronggeng is one of Yazeed's old compositions. The
\nNusantara Chamber Orchestra, which Yazeed helped found in 1988
\nand which is now known as the Indonesian Symphony Orchestra,
\nperformed the composition in Germany in 1988 where it received
\ninternational recognition.<\/p>\n
With Ondel-Ondel, Yazeed said he wanted to make the audience
\ndelve deeper into Betawi culture, the culture of native
\nJakartans.<\/p>\n
Based on his studies, Yazeed said Betawi culture was
\ninfluenced by Chinese culture and he accentuated this influence
\nin Ondel-Ondel. He also featured the strong beats of tanjidor (a
\nJakarta orchestra which uses European brass instruments) in the
\ncomposition.<\/p>\n
Yazeed -- who received his doctorate of musical arts in piano
\nperformance from The Catholic University of America in Washington
\nin 1988 -- said that for the orchestra's premier show, he focused
\non West Java and Betawi cultures.<\/p>\n
\"I will present 25 percent classical compositions and 75
\npercent compositions with ethnic nuances,\" Yazeed, who has
\nperformed in a number of orchestras abroad, said before the
\nperformance.<\/p>\n
He said it was not strange to combine Indonesian ethnic music
\nwith classical music, saying the world's top musicians included
\nethnic tunes in their masterpieces.<\/p>\n
\"We maybe just do not realize that our richness is comparable
\nto theirs,\" Yazeed said.<\/p>\n
Performing ethnic music will not, however, prevent the
\norchestra from playing classical compositions from the West.<\/p>\n
\"I will still play classical compositions,\" the 49-year-old
\nconductor said.<\/p>\n
The orchestra is managed by the Indonesian Philharmonic
\nOrchestra Foundation, which is chaired by President B.J.
\nHabibie's son Ilham Habibie.<\/p>\n
The orchestra's premier performance was part of the official
\ninauguration of the foundation, which was established on April 5.
\nThe premier was attended by invited guests, including President
\nHabibie and First Lady Hasri Ainun Habibie.<\/p>\n
Ilham said adding the word \"Indonesia\" to the name of the
\norchestra was intended to help the orchestra absorb local
\ncultures and integrate them into the world of classical music.<\/p>\n
However, he said it was impossible to expect classical music
\nto become a mass phenomenon by merely establishing the orchestra.<\/p>\n
\"Even in other countries, there are only certain people who
\nlike classical music,\" Ilham said. \"I know that not everyone
\nlikes it (classical music).\"<\/p>\n
Most classical music performances here are attended by the
\nsame, small circle of classical music lovers.<\/p>\n
Yazeed agreed that classical music was not appreciated by
\neverybody, a fact he blamed on a lack of proper art education and
\ncultural appreciation in schools.<\/p>\n
He said that unlike here, in other countries most schools have
\ntheir own orchestras.<\/p>\n
\"There's a need for parents to support this idea (to raise art
\nand cultural appreciation),\" Yazeed said.<\/p>\n
Another leading composer, Addie MS and his Twilite Orchestra,
\nalso are trying to popularize classical music among the public,
\nalthough they are taking a different approach. For some time,
\nmembers of the Twilite orchestra have performed \"light\" classical
\nmusic at Cafe Wien in Plaza Senayan, Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Yazeed has his own ideas of how to promote classical music.<\/p>\n
\"My wish is to establish a distinctive orchestra. And I think
\nwe can achieve this with the help of our folk songs. If we keep
\non playing western classical compositions only, we'll never get
\nbigger and will never be able to compete with other philharmonic
\norchestras from other, more advanced countries.\" (ste)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesian-philharmonic-orchestra-embraces-ethnic-nuances-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}