Djaduk to perform Ethnovaganza concert

JAKARTA (JP): After entertaining classical music lovers with its Popstravaganza concert, Teater Tanah Airku is now embracing ethnic music with its Ethnovaganza concert featuring noted musician Djaduk Ferianto.

The concert, scheduled to take place on Sept. 18 at the theater in Taman Mini, East Jakarta, is intended to revitalize people's interest in ethnic music.

According to the concert's head of production, Butet Kartaredjasa, the concert will be Djaduk's biggest concert this year. And the concert is expected to be performed regularly, every two months, at the theater starting early next year, he added.

Entitled Ngeng, meaning a process celebrating the present euphoria within the community -- although it might only last for a moment -- Djaduk will share the stage with Kua Etnika group of Yogyakarta.

The concert will feature six compositions using various instruments that, as shown in Djaduk's previous performances, can integrate into an attractive orchestral presentation, rich in timbre and at the same time reflecting the diversity of ethnic music and instruments in Indonesia.

The six compositions, to be performed with the support of 25 musicians and singers, include Gaganjil Rampak, a dynamic exploration of leather-made musical instruments; Gaganjil Deling, a composition which uses musical instruments made of bamboo and wood; Gaganjil Balik and Gaganjil Njeplak, a Javanese-style a Capella composition which explores vocal skills with a humorist's touch; Gaganjil Denting, a wild exploration of metal instruments; and Gaganjil Unen, a final composition that blends all kinds of instruments into a single piece.

A day prior to the concert, on Sept. 17, at 3 p.m., there will be Konser Kita (Our Concert) for invited elementary school students, giving them an opportunity to appreciate ethnic music while at the same time having direct interaction with the musicians.