Twilite honors commitment to fine music<\/p>\n
Sonitha, Contributor, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The Twilite Popstravaganza concert in Jakarta on Wednesday was
\ngood proof that the 10-year-old Twilite Orchestra continues to
\nlive up to its commitment to performing the finest class of
\norchestral music.<\/p>\n
Consistency in quality is what it's all about.<\/p>\n
Not only did they perform well, their mission to introduce
\nensemble music to the Indonesian public and to educate others
\nfurther, was accomplished and deserves acknowledgement.<\/p>\n
\"It is somehow difficult to introduce symphonic orchestra
\nmusic and to have the appreciation of the general public.
\nHowever, we are committed to fulfilling this mission,\" explained
\nTwilite's conductor, Addie MS.<\/p>\n
Instead of a heavy classical arrangement, Twilite Orchestra
\nperformed something more familiar to the general public's ear.
\nThis time they presented the soundtracks of the most celebrated
\nmovies, beginning with the movie score to the award-winning
\nMoulin Rouge. Twilite developed the excitement through Orpheus of
\nthe Underwater World -- a scene in the movie where Satin (Nicole
\nKidman) and her fellow artists pretend to rehearse a new musical
\ncalled Spectacular, Spectacular in front of a rich duke.<\/p>\n
Apart from Moulin Rouge, other familiar soundtracks from Home
\nAlone, Diva, Independence Day, Saving Private Ryan and Who Framed
\nRoger Rabbit were also performed, each one bringing back memories
\nof those films.<\/p>\n
There was one particular song that really made the audience
\nexperience the excitement of rewinding time by 20 years. The
\nmagic of Steven Spielberg's 1982 box office smash, E.T. (Extra
\nTerrestrial) can strongly be felt as the rhythm composed by John
\nWilliams played resembling a cool breath of air. The music
\nsensations of this soundtrack made me imagine I was biking in the
\nair toward the bright full moon.<\/p>\n
But the most stunning performance was by 25-year-old pianist
\nLevi Gunardi, as he played Geroge Gershwin's famous Rhapsody in
\nBlue. The agility of his hands, youth of his face and relaxed
\nmanner in performing simply created amazement among the audience.
\nSome could not help but to shake their heads seeing the speed of
\nhis fingers, the accuracy of each note and the tempo.<\/p>\n
Rhapsody in Blue is indeed an uncommon piece of art. Levi
\nhimself admitted that the most difficult part of this repertoire
\nwas to master both the classical and jazzy rhythms. It is very
\nAmerican in its daring and its energy. And like America, it was a
\nveritable \"melting pot\" of the influences that shape this
\nexperimental jazz concerto consisting of Joplin's tuneful piano
\nrags, the rhythmic jazz of Harlem's clubs, the folk music of
\nYiddish Theater and the post Romantic music of Ravel, Schoenberg
\nand Stravinsky. Those who have already seen the animation of
\nFantasia 2000 would definitely be entertained by Levi's perfect
\nrecital.<\/p>\n
Apart from that, two of the most romantic Italian opera songs
\ncomposed by Giacomo Pucini were performed during the second half
\nof the show. Che gelida manina, sung by Christopher Abimanyu.<\/p>\n
Christopher brought the romance through his character of voice
\nand through Pucini's dreamy libretto. \/What a frozen little hand,
\nlet me warm it for you. \/I am poor but when it comes to dreams
\nand visions and castles in the air, \/I have the soul of a
\nmillionaire.<\/p>\n
Another delightful performance by soprano Linda Sitindjak
\nadded orchestral color with her operatic rendition of Madame
\nButterfly. She beautifully demonstrated the expressiveness of the
\nsong yet showed the lifelessness of Madame Butterfly. Puccini
\nwould be happy listening to it.<\/p>\n
As a special part of this event, Addie MS also invited a guest
\nconductor, Brian Everett, who highlighted the night with When You
\nWish Upon a Star from the Pinnochio which won an academy award
\nfor best musical score in the 1940s. The orchestra plus the solid
\nTwilite Chorus shared the softness of this lullaby.<\/p>\n
Twilite Orchestra has successfully selected the best picks of
\nmovie soundtracks, making it an imaginative journey from
\nDisneyland and Hollywood to the opera houses of Italy. Yet the
\naudience was not ready for Twilite's final bow, the applause just
\nwouldn't stop during its standing ovation.<\/p>\n
Addie then came back and conducted another repertoire composed
\nby Lee Roy Andersen, a playful pizzicato cutely played by the
\nstring musicians. As Addie moved with his funny cartoonic
\ngestures the audience began to laugh and became immersed in the
\nhappy melody and once again the crowd clapped continuously.<\/p>\n
Everyone went home happy. A job well done and a mission
\naccomplished.<\/p>",
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