... as Indonesian music labors to survive in l994

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian musicians painstakingly tried to reestablish themselves in order to cope with the deluge of visiting foreign artists who dominated the stages this year in Jakarta.

Their efforts were apparent although financial constraints and lack of sponsorship still hindered local music activities. Regardless, a number of Indonesian artists successfully managed to regain a foothold on the domestic music scene. They left us with some memorable performances, earnest in their efforts to revive local music.

Konser Sendiri Chrisye at the Jakarta Hilton Convention Center might be considered "the new beginning" for Indonesians hoping to collaborate with financially strong entertainment agencies like RCTI. Chrisye, or Christian Rahadi, performed last August for the fifth anniversary of RCTI, one of five private TV stations in Indonesia.

Success was the right word for Chrisye's single concert. Known as one of Indonesia's prominent singers who has been consistently maintaining and developing his musical ability for almost 20 years, Chrisye succeeded in presenting qualified yet entertaining and enjoyable music for his audience. During the concert, Chrisye presented a number of his hits, including Resesi and Lilin Lilin Kecil, the song which rocketed his name to local stardom. Several songs from the film Badai Pasti Berlalu also appeared at the concert. Working jointly with Eros Djarot, Yocky S, and other Badai Band members on this album in the late l970s, Chrisye made a special contribution to the local music world. His concert was packed by more than five thousand fans, proving that local music has an audience.

Another surprising event was the performance of rocker Sawung Jabo and Sirkus Barock at Teater Terbuka, Taman Ismail Marzuki Arts Center, Jakarta last June.

The band attracted more than 2,000 rock fans, a very big audience for a domestic music concert.

Jabo played old and new compositions like Anak Setan (l987), Fatamorgana, Pusing bin Gagap, Bunga Jalanan. Kirek Cilik (not yet available on the market), all combining a strong mixture of rhythm and blues and rock'n roll.

Still in rock music, former God Bless keyboardist Yocky Soeryoprayoga staged his new rock group, Suket, at Teater Terbuka, Taman Ismail Marzuki Arts center early in February.

On the new album, Yocky wrote a number of songs critical of social conditions and telling stories of the oppressed.

Suket, playing a blend of rock and traditional Sundanese music, consists of Yocky, Edi Kemput, Jalu, Rere, Nanie, Didiet Saksono and Anca Haiz.

Award

It is encouraging to know that local musicians are being appreciated by their fans as well as profit-oriented music industry.

Last July, songwriter and singer Titiek Puspa received a BASF special lifetime achievement award for her dedication to the development of Indonesian music. The BASF cassette recording company also presented a legend award to singer Chrisye and several other awards to Indonesians in different music categories.

Promoters of local music since l985, BASF is now shaping itself as a significant institution that provides prestigious annual awards for local talents.

For the first time in ten years BASF awards also went to musicians who produced records with other recording companies.

"It is important to create the event as an objective and credible forum to evaluate the quality and standard of local music products," noted musician Candra Darusman said.

Many recording companies, however, are still reluctant to reveal their sales figures for various reasons.

A more neutral institution is badly needed to replace the BASF judges, Candra added.

"We are currently trying hard to make an appropriate concept for such an event," Candra commented.

Musicologist Franki Raden maintained that the BASF AWARDS are now considered the most sought after prizes for domestic music circle.

Therefore, it required serious improvements in many areas, including the judging system on each music category, Franki said.

Actually, the state-owned radio and television companies RRI and TVRI organize music competitions annually. Unfortunately these two institutions are still unable to keep up with the rapid music developments. The competition covers only a few music genres like pop, classic and keroncong, a local music style based on a Portuguese music element. However, rock, soul, jazz and even dangdut are left out.

Contemporary

Another important step for the local music scene has been the establishment of the Indonesian Composers Association, founded during the Nur Gora Rupa Arts festival in Surakarta, Central Java last April.

The Association involves big figures in the Indonesian contemporary and experimental music world such as Slamet Abdul Syukur, Bambang Sunarto, Otto Sidharta, Franki Raden, Harry Roesli, Tina Silvana, Errol Jonathans and Djadjuk Ferianto.

It pledged to publish newsletter containing music scripts composed by its members. It also plans to cooperate with the electronic media to promote their musical genres.

"Our music, which still has a small audience, is as significant as what already exists in society," maintained Slamet Abdul Syukur in defense of experimental and contemporary music, also known as absurd music.

A number of significant contemporary music concerts were on the local agenda this year.

In June, Teater Arena at Taman Ismail Marzuki Arts Center hosted a remarkable concert involving local and foreign contemporary musicians. Unfortunately they failed to finish the piece for technical reasons, making it clear to the TIM management that they should upgrade the Teater Arena which can no longer accommodate music concerts.

At the concert, Otto Sidharta teamed up with Japanese musician Junko Ueda. They tried to put together a special composition Recycle II in which Ueda played his biwa, Japanese ancient guitar, alongside Sidharta's computerized music. Meanwhile, Slamet Abdul Syukur collaborated with Dutch musician Wil Offermans to present a complex but enchanting arrangement in Spiral.

Contemporary music also enjoyed wider exposure to foreign audiences when veteran musician Trisutji Kamal, a graduate of Conservatorio de Musica St Caecillia in Roma, staged concerts in several European cities last September. Trisutji, accompanied by Kompiang Raka and Iswargia, presented six compositions including Dialog untuk Dua Piano dan Tabuhan Bali (l994), Variasi Sarinande ( l969), Nuansa Selat Sunda. 9(raw)