Composers show their concern in concerts
JAKARTA (JP): Since Thursday, several top local composers have shown their concern over the country's woes in performances at Gedung Kesenian Jakarta in Central Jakarta. The show, concluding tomorrow night, is part of more than 100 cultural events for Ruwatan Bumi (Earth Purification), held in observance of April 22's Earth Day.
Participants represent a mix of ages and music genres.
Veteran composer Slamet Abdul Syukur will perform tonight, along with his younger colleagues, Erick Yusuf, and Jalu G. Pratidina, who will collaborate with pop-ballad singer Oppie Andaresta. Nugie is also scheduled to perform.
Tomorrow will feature Leo Kristi, who specializes in folk music, contemporary composer Tony Prabowo, and dancer Restu Iman Sari in Api and Padang Pasir di Kalimantan (Fire and Desert in Kalimantan) who will collaborate with Fendy Siregar, Dessy Harahap and Abdon Nababan.
Jalu, known for his eloquent use of Sundanese gendang (drums) on previous occasions, uses 13 gongs, two bonang (another form of Sundanese percussion) and a ceramic instrument in a repertoire called Kawitan (The Beginning).
"Kawitan reminds people of the beginning of humankind, that if we humans forget our origins, we will all turn violent against other humans and nature," said Jalu.
In a unique twist on the traditional performance, Jalu is using Oppie Andaresta as the sinden (a traditional singer), as well as hundreds of crickets to enrich the sound and provide the desired atmosphere.
Erick Yusuf will apply a theatrical mixed media repertoire in Roti dan Sirkus (Bread and Circus), adopted from the Roman tradition of providing more entertainment to people in times of hardship.
The event kicked off Thursday night with an ensemble led by Jeffar Lumbangaol and recitals by cellist Yasin Burhan and pianist Irsa Destiwi.
Last night featured Jalu and Oppy, Riza Arshad and artists Afrizal Malna, Yasin Burhan, Eko Partinur, Boi G. Sakti and Hanafi, who collaborated on Kolaborasi Panorama Kematian Ayah (The Collaboration on Father's Death). (Helly Minarti)