... as Indonesian music labors to survive in l994

... 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)