Bali Memorial Concert evokes emotion

Fitri Wulandari and I Wayan Juniartha The Jakarta Post Jimbaran, Bali

From the beginning, everything at the Bali Memorial Concert had been meticulously prepared to evoke a touching sense of solemn tranquility. The dress code was either black or white.

A white candle was placed on each chair. A soft glow of green light bathed the gigantic limestone slabs that majestically flanked the open stage in the Garuda Wishnu Kencana (GWK) cultural park.

The message was crystal clear that the memorial concert was not about teenagers dancing exuberantly to deafening DJ-composed tunes or about high-powered executives in black tuxedos immersing their egos in an intricate repertoire of Chopin.

It was all about a moment of musical silence and remembrance, when people came together to strengthen each other over the pain, anguish and grief that had engulfed them for weeks since a powerful explosion claimed over 190 lives, mostly foreigners, on the island that used to be known for its peaceful atmosphere.

"We don't have any weapons, nor do we have any enemies, but we do have songs and music to help us through this difficult time. Tonight, in this park, I see the kind of world I have always envisioned, a world that is full with the color of rainbows, where Muslims, Hindis, Christians, and white and black can come and work together," noted Balinese sculptor I Nyoman Nuarta, who initiated the development of GWK, said in the concert's opening speech.

The concert was opened with the national anthem, Indonesia Raya, and the Australian national anthem Advance Australia Fair. Both anthems symbolized how the two countries had suffered the most from the tragedy and had become closer to help each other in getting through the difficult times.

Addie MS, the conductor of the Twilite Orchestra, said the idea to perform a memorial concert came after the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra called and asked him for a copy of the Indonesia Raya score for their memorial concert in Australia.

"I was both touched and humiliated by their request. How could we do nothing to honor the victims while in Australia, the government announced a national day of mourning and Queen Elizabeth II led a special prayer for the victims. Then I came up with the idea to hold a memorial concert here," he said.

Although it usually takes him at least six months to prepare a big concert, this time Addie only needed 14 days to select the songs, rehearse with the musicians and cast the singers, including female tenor Linda Sitinjak, male soprano Christopher Abimanyu, pop singer Rio Febrian and child star Sherina. The concert also involved the Twilite Orchestra Choir and the Udayana University Choir.

All in all, the performance put on a good show despite the fact that it had been hastily prepared. However, the concert's true achievement was that it managed to ease any emotional tension which had engulfed the public, especially the blast victims and the Balinese, during the days of horror following the bombing.

Anger, sadness, despair and confusion may not go away soon but at least these feelings could be soothed with the orchestra playing songs of love, friendship, unity, peace and trust for the Almighty God.

Some of the pieces played at the concert were the anthems of international humanitarian causes or other peace concerts.

Examples were of John Lennon's immortal Imagine, sung by Rio, and Diana Ross's If We Hold on Together by Linda. Religious songs, such as Amazing Grace, Hymn to The Fallen and The Prayer, turned the atmosphere of the open-air theater into a gripping, solemn remembrance for those who had perished in the inferno.

While pieces cherishing love and friendship, such as You'll Never Walk Alone reminded the audience that the bomb blast not only damaged the lives of the victims and their families and friends, but also the whole world.

On that special night, the songs were powerful enough to evoke the emotions of the entire audience. People swayed lightly to the music while their hands held their candles up high in the air although there were hardly any tears.

Concert-goers gave a standing ovation to some of the songs performed, while clapping their hands and holding each other tightly to give support to one other.

Although most of those in attendance were Indonesians, a number of foreigners were also seen among the crowd. The whole crowd shared a common grief and were trying to overcome it.

When Sherina -- dressed in a white gown with five roses in her silky black hair -- sung the melancholic Ibu Pertiwi (Motherland), a song about a great country in a sorrowful state, members of the audience struggled to hold back their tears.

Yet, the concert was more than just a musical event. State Minister for State Enterprises Laksamana Sukardi stressed in his speech that Indonesia was not a country of terrorists, but rather a country that was being terrorized. He also urged the world not to isolate Indonesia, an act that would give terrorists the ultimate victory.

Praising Indonesian Muslims as being among the most peaceful, tolerant and open-minded followers of Islam in the world, Laksamana acknowledged the existence of radical groups in the country. But, he added, they were small in number and their views were totally rejected by the majority of the Indonesian Muslim population.

"We have to make sure that the evil of a few does not overwhelm the good of the majority," he said.