Composers show their concern in concerts
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)