Twilite gives modern touch to local songs<\/p>\n
Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
If only this country had a nice venue with great acoustics like,
\nsay, Singapore's Esplanade Theatres on the Bay, then groups like
\nthe Twilite Orchestra would not have to perform in community
\nhalls.<\/p>\n
Most of which are actually inappropriate for music
\nperformances, especially an orchestra, as it reduces the quality
\nof the sound.<\/p>\n
If we had a nice venue, it would not be necessary for the
\norganizer to ask the audience to turn off their cell phones.<\/p>\n
Because, like the Esplanade for instance, the walls are so
\nthick that no phone signal can reach inside the theater.<\/p>\n
A wish remains a wish.<\/p>\n
So, there the Twilite Orchestra was, holding a concert on
\nThursday night at the Jakarta Convention Center in Central
\nJakarta, the best building the city can offer.<\/p>\n
Fortunately, even without a really suitable facility, the
\nOrchestra -- led by conductor and co-founder Addie MS -- could
\nstill come up with a good, entertaining performance.<\/p>\n
Established in 1991, the noted Orchestra has gained more
\nrecognition, collaborating with artists, theater and
\ninternational artists like singer Natalie Cole and pianist
\nRichard Clayderman.<\/p>\n
From only 20 musicians, it has stretched to 70 musicians and a
\nchoir of 63 members, with repertoire ranges from classical to
\ncontemporary.<\/p>\n
Aside from commercial purposes, it also aimed at educating the
\npublic and also students. Student groups are often able to see
\nthe concerts at their schools.<\/p>\n
At Thursday's concert entitled "Dji Sam Soe Konser
\nIndonesiaku" (Dji Sam Soe My Indonesia Concert), the Orchestra
\nlaid down a set of Indonesian folk and pop songs, instead of its
\nusual mix of Indonesian and classical music.<\/p>\n
"We deliberately chose all Indonesian songs. It was aimed at
\ntrying to appreciate the music in our country," Addie said on
\nstage before moving into the second song.<\/p>\n
Earlier at the media conference last week, Addie admitted that
\nadapting Indonesian music into orchestral ensembles was not easy.
\nBecause, unlike many Western musical traditions, local music was
\nnever especially made for orchestras.<\/p>\n
"Almost all Indonesian music is created from whistling or
\nguitar playing, then adapted into various simpler arrangements
\nsuch as keroncong (traditional Indonesian music with Portuguese
\ninfluence), so it is extremely difficult to adapt for an
\norchestra," he said.<\/p>\n
The effort was quite successful, although not exactly
\nspectacular, as the neat music arrangement gave a more modern
\ntouch to traditional music.<\/p>\n
The two-hour concert was kicked off by Varia Ibukota, a medley
\nof Betawi (native Jakartan) songs which were re-arranged in an
\nexpressive and dramatic way. Very catchy.<\/p>\n
Tenor Christopher Abimanyu and soprano Linda Sitinjak came
\nnext, singing Indonesia Pusaka (Indonesia Heirloom) and Tanah
\nAirku (My Fatherland) respectively.<\/p>\n
Despite the great voices and musical arrangement, the
\nsupposedly gripping songs were not, well, gripping. Linda even
\nslipped one or two notes.<\/p>\n
The performance of Vina Panduwinata was more passionate,
\nhowever, although the noted songstress seldom sings in public.<\/p>\n
The concert was a reunion party for Addie and Vina as both
\ncollaborated on her albums Citra Ceria (Cheerful Image) and Cinta
\n(Love) back in the 1980s, before Addie gave up pop music
\nentirely.<\/p>\n
Vina performed beautifully on four of her old hits: September
\nCeria (Joyful September), Dia (Him), Aku Cinta Kepadamu (I Love
\nYou) and Aku Makin Cinta (I Love You More).<\/p>\n
Aside from the solo singers, the Twilite Chorus was definitely
\none of the highlights, standing in front of the sparkling paper
\nand temple relief as the stage backdrops.<\/p>\n
The Chorus harmoniously sang a series of traditional songs,
\nfrom the upbeat Batak (native North Sumatran) song Sik Sik
\nBatumanikam to Aceh's Bungong Jeumpa and Papua's Yamko Rambe
\nYamko.<\/p>\n
In some numbers, the Chorus also played angklung bamboo
\ninstruments while singing. Other numbers were highlighted by
\nBalinese gamelan (a set of traditional instrument), which
\nresulted in a good mixture with the usual orchestra instruments.<\/p>\n
Addie also inserted one song from his recent work, the score
\nfrom the movie Biola Tak Berdawai (The Stringless Violin).
\nPerformed by tenor Ray Jeffryn, the theme song with the same
\ntitle came off as gripping as in the film.<\/p>\n
The concert was wrapped up nicely with Bagimu Perdamaian (For
\nthe Peace), a theme song for Teater Koma's play Opera Hanoman, to
\na standing ovation.<\/p>\n
The concert will also take place in Medan tonight and in
\nSurabaya next Wednesday, with the same repertoire.<\/p>",
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