Colossal musical for ABRI's birthday

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)