Colossal musical for ABRI's birthday

BANDUNG (JP): "Music is life, movement is life, the player is life, even the earth beneath you, this beret is life...."

The words flowed from Lt. Gen. Tarub, chief of the Armed Forces General Affairs, who turned poet during a visit to the Siliwangi Command sports stadium yesterday to view a colossal musical rehearsal for the celebrations to mark the 51st anniversary of the Armed Forces on Oct. 5.

"Practice, practice and practice for the sake of the Armed Forces and, most importantly, for the sake of the nation," he told the 600 musicians, choir members and "actors" at the rehearsal.

Tarub was accompanied by Army deputy chief Lt. Gen. F.X. Soedjasmin, Commandant of the Bandung-based Infantry Weapons Center Maj. Gen. Rudi Mokoginta, his deputy Brig. Gen. Luhut Panjaitan and about 40 other high-ranking officers from the Armed Forces Headquarters.

Luhut is responsible for the celebratory project which has been underway for more than two months.

Tarub's visit was timely, given there is not much time left for the orchestra, choir and actors to rehearse before D-Day in Senayan.

His speech inspired the entire cast of the musical. Its producer, Idris Sardi, has been under enormous pressure to give a perfect production in less than three months.

The musical, which narrates Indonesian military history, is choreographed by Roy Tobing.

Idris translated significant periods in Indonesian military history into music, each piece indicating the period it represents: Starting from pre-independence in Indonesia, the struggle for independence, the early years of its youth, the 1965 communist abortive coup, the national development period, the first general elections and the Armed Forces future challenge to maintain national unity.

The violin performance of the national anthem, Indonesia Raya, was particularly beautiful. He captured the spirit of each important period in the nation's life through selected songs.

Earlier Thursday, Idris Sardi exploded into rage over criticism on his team's performance. He defended them as "great" performers.

"Two months ago they did not even know 'do' from 're' from 'me'. They still play poorly, but I'm proud of them. To me, they are simply great," Idris told Luhut and the other officers at Thursday's rehearsal.

The cast and crew of the musical come from the Navy, Air Force, Army and Police forces. They are supported by members of Persit Chandra Kirana, the Organization of Wives of Armed Forces Members.

It is a huge task to unite them while teaching them the notes, scales, rhythm and harmony. But given the time constraint, what they have produced is indeed an achievement, he said.

Tarub was not exaggerating when he told them "I'm proud of you." (lem)