Debussy's Pelleas et Melisande

The little that we hear of western classical music in Jakarta is compensated by TOP FM Radio Klasik's programs. A whole range of music can be heard from Renaissance and Baroque up to contemporary, with a heavy emphasis on Baroque. (Vivaldi's Four Seasons have grown to one hundred seasons, Haendel's Water Music has been aired ad infinitum.) Whatever one's taste, Radio Klasik offers substantial quantity of music in often very good performances.

A nearly integral presentation of Debussy's Pelleas et Melisande on June 29 was stunningly beautiful. Radio Klasik had played three French operas in the past five months: Bizet's Carmen (in an undistinguished performance under Karajan) and two operas by Lully and Rameau from the 17th and 18th centuries. The leap to the 1900s was surprising. I had never thought that Debussy's music could be so good. The composer's piano and orchestral music is tedious at times but Pelleas et Melisande is a masterpiece with its tone colors and blending of words and music. May be the French embassy was involved in the broadcast of the opera because the introduction was given by M. Nico Colombant from the French embassy. If M. Colombant is inclined to provide more such music, also 19th century opera, he will be more than welcomed. Maybe the Centre Culturel Francais can also present filmed operas?

There is not enough opera coverage in Radio Klasik. The Italian repertoire is conspicuously absent. Even Mozart is never heard. There is some Wagner but it is limited to the eternal overtures, preludes, valkyrie rides and the like. On the other hand we have had half a dozen complete Gilbert & Sullivan and there will be more to come. Why not acquire a Bellini, a Puccini, a Tchaikovsky instead of so many G & S which often sound outdated?

There is an apparent lack of a guiding musical spirit that would help in the concoction of a well-balanced program to meet the expectations of all categories of listeners. We have heard an impressive quantity of standard orchestral music but mostly performed by the Berlin Philharmonic/Karajan, the Cleveland Symphony/von Dohnanyi and St. Martin in the Fields/Marriner. These orchestras seem to have established themselves as Radio Klasik's orchestras in residence. Listeners need other colors in orchestral playing. The Chamber Orchestra of Europe under Claudio Abbado sounds fresh and buoyant. The no-man's-land hours, i.e. from 6 to 9 a.m. and from 12.00 to 8 p.m. really need programming. One moves there from one piece to another without any apparent pattern as if in a limbo.

However, TOP FM Radio Klasik has greatly contributed to the appreciation of the world's great music. My criticism implies there is ample room for improvement. I am looking forward to a second successful year of this unique radio station.

S. HARMONO

Jakarta