Classical melodies for Mozart enthusiasts

Tantri Yuliandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

For centuries the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) has inspired budding composers and delighted listeners all over the world.

Now, once again, the wonderful music of Mozart can be enjoyed at the Mozartabend (Mozart night) concert on Sunday, April 14, 2002, at Gedung Kesenian Jakarta, Central Jakarta.

The concert will debut the Jakarta Chamber Orchestra, previously known as the Parahyangan Chamber Orchestra, and be conducted by well-known conductor Avip Priatna. It will also showcase pianist Iswargia R. Sudarno.

Three pieces of the maestro's work will be played to the enjoyment of classical music lovers, including La Finta Giardiniera Overture, an opera piece composed by Mozart in early 1775.

The other two pieces are Piano Concerto in E-flat Major, composed in January 1777, and Symphony No. 29 in A Major, completed on April 6, 1774 in Salzburg.

"We chose Mozart's earlier works because they are easier to perform with a limited number of musicians," Avip said at a media conference.

The Jakarta Chamber Orchestra comprise of about 30 musicians from Yogyakarta and Jakarta, with an inclination toward string instruments and a penchant for performing classical music from the Baroque era and the 20th century.

Avip said the orchestra strives to provide Indonesian classical music lovers, especially those in the capital, with a regular concert program.

"Jakarta has several orchestras but none with a comprehensive and regular program. We aim to present concerts with music performed at international standards," he said.

For the 2002/03 calendar, the orchestra will perform an All- Beethoven Program on Aug. 25, 2002, Bach and 20th Century Music on Nov. 3, 2002, Classics for Young People on Feb. 28 and March 1, 2003, and Serenade from England on May 12, 2003.

The concert on Sunday will be performed twice. The 3 p.m. performance will be held especially for students and will include a short lecture by the chairman of the Mozart Society, Hardywinoto. The 8 p.m. concert will be open to the public.

Tickets are priced at Rp 15,000 for university students and Rp 10,000 for all other students for the afternoon concert and lecture, and Rp 100,000, Rp 75,000 and Rp 50,000 for the evening concert.

For reservations, please contact Gedung Kesenian Jakarta, Jl. Gedung Kesenian No. 1, Jakarta 10710. Tel. 3808283/3441892, Fax. 3810924. The ticket office is open between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. from Tuesday to Saturday.