Composer Alfred Simanjuntak brings out tunes to unite all

By Ida Indawati Khouw

JAKARTA (JP): Alfred Simanjuntak composed famous and monumental songs, but whenever his works are mentioned, people often attribute them as the works of another composer, the late Cornel Simanjuntak.

Being a low profile man, Alfred, composer of the patriotic song Bangun Pemudi Pemuda (Wake Up Young Generation) -- which is also thought of as a song created by his colleague Cornel -- does not bother too much with what people think.

Still, he was surprised to find out that his recent composition, Selamatkan Terumbu Karang (Save the Coral Reefs), is still attributed as the work of Cornel despite the latter having passed away some years ago.

"We were astonished when we heard (private television network) Indosiar mention that the theme song for the national campaign to save the country's coral reefs was composed by Cornel Simanjuntak. We have called the station to file our protest but it does no good," said his wife Alida Salomo, who accompanied Alfred during the interview.

As only a small number of people remember his contributions to the nation, the 80-year-old man was amazed when he was granted an honorary doctorate by Saint John private university here on Feb. 10.

"I thank you and thank God for respecting my life and works as a composer and educator," Alfred said.

The honor was the first one received by the composer, who inherited his musical talents from his father Guru Lamsana Simanjuntak, because, so far, there are no institutions paying attention to his works.

Throughout his lifetime Alfred has created hundreds of songs, ranging through national, children's and religious songs. Some of his songs are national classics and are included in books containing national songs.

His religious songs, which have been included in the Kidung Jemaat book of hymns for Protestant churches here, are sometimes heard being performed during Sunday services even though most Christians do not realize that they were created by him.

Bathroom

Inspiration for his most popular national song Bangun Pemudi Pemuda came to the composer in an unexpected place. "The inspiration came when I was in the bathroom," explained Alfred, "Thus, I never expected the song to be so popular."

The song was composed when the country was under Japanese occupation (1942-1945). "When I was taking a bath it seemed that I heard a song, then I rushed out of the bathroom to write it (the composition) down," said Alfred, who was a teacher at Sekolah Rakyat Sempurna elementary school in Semarang, Central Java, at the time.

The Bangun Pemudi Pemuda song aimed to encourage youths to fight for independence. But sometimes people changed the title into Bangun Pemuda Pemudi. Pemuda literally means male youth while pemudi means female youth.

"(That the title mentioned pemudi first) I think was because I was influenced by the Dutch and western habit of addressing ladies before gentlemen during speeches. At that time, I did not have any idea of gender awareness," Alfred said.

However, one work which has left a deep impression is Indonesia Bersatulah (Indonesia Unite). The song urges Indonesians to unite and work together without considering their differences.

"I can still clearly remember how students were so patriotic when they belted out the song while Japanese soldiers were everywhere. Then I was told by a friend that my name was included on the Japanese' list of assassination targets because of the song. I think I would have been killed if the Japanese were still in power after August 1945," he said seriously.

The song showed its "power" again when Indonesia was shaken up by the separatist movements of Pemerintah Revolusioner Republik Indonesia (PRRI, or the Revolutionary Government of the Republic of Indonesia) in Central Sumatra, and Permesta (Perlawanan Semesta, the Total Struggle Movement) in Central and North Sulawesi, both in 1958.

"At that time, RRI, the national radio station, broadcast Indonesia Bersatulah three times a day until the separatist movements calmed down. But on the other hand, I was in a difficult position because all of the warring parties were my friends, namely Maludin Simbolon (the PRRI commander), Saladin Sarumpaet (PRRI's Minister of Education) and former army chief (the late) Gen. A.H. Nasution, who at that time was assigned to combat the movements.

"At the time, as a North Sumatra native, I could understand the discrimination (in terms of development) felt by people outside Java, which triggered the movements. But I am a nationalist and I think we should unite," Alfred said.

Contribution

Composing national songs is Alfred's way of showing his commitment to the country. "It's the only thing I can do for my country," said the father of four and grandfather of 10, whose talent has been inherited by one of his daughters Aida Swenson Simanjuntak, who established the noted Paduan Suara Anak Indonesia (the Indonesian Children's Choir).

Until now, the man is still actively composing new songs, including an anthem for the National Awakening Party (PKB), President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid's party.

"I was surprised that Gus Dur chose me (to compose the song) when he knows that I am not a Muslim," Alfred said.

But the difference in religion was not relevant to Alfred and he composed the lyrics with Islamic nuances such as Allahu Akbar (God is great).

"I find universal values in religious terms like Allahu Akbar. It's only a matter of language. The belief that God is great is also recognized in Christianity," he said.

Apart from his dedication to his work as a composer, Alfred is also an educator.

Born on Sept. 8, 1920 in Parlombuan village in North Sumatra, the eldest among eight children enjoyed the privilege of Dutch schooling, unlike his brothers and sisters who could not afford to enter such schools. Alfred even continued his higher education, studying linguistics in Utrecht, the Netherlands, between 1954 and 1956.

His career in education included teaching at elementary schools in the Central Java towns of Kutoarjo and Semarang, and in Madiun, East Java. Some of his students became well-known figures, including former vice president Sudharmono and former attorney general Ali Said.

Even today, at the age of 80, teaching still remains a part of his life. Alfred is now teaching the subject he knows best, singing, at SDK BPK Penabur Christian elementary schools in Bintaro, South Jakarta and Pluit, North Jakarta.