Entire audience greatly moved by memorial concert

Entire audience greatly moved by memorial concert

Fitri Wulandari and I Wayan Juniartha, The Jakarta Post, Jimbaran, Bali

From the beginning, everything at the Bali Memorial Concert had
been meticulously prepared to evoke a touching sense of solemn
tranquility. The dress code was either black or white.

A white candle was placed on each chair. A soft glow of green
light bathed the gigantic limestone slabs that majestically
flanked the open stage in the Garuda Wishnu Kencana (GWK)
cultural park.

The message was crystal clear that the memorial concert was
not about teenagers dancing exuberantly to deafening DJ-composed
tunes or about high-powered executives in black tuxedos immersing
their egos in an intricate repertoire of Chopin.

It was all about a moment of musical silence and remembrance,
when people came together to strengthen each other over the pain,
anguish and grief that had engulfed them for weeks since a
powerful explosion claimed over 190 lives, mostly foreigners, on
the island that used to be known for its peaceful atmosphere.

"We don't have any weapons, nor do we have any enemies, but we
do have songs and music to help us through this difficult time.
Tonight, in this park, I see the kind of world I have always
envisioned, a world that is full with the color of rainbows,
where Muslims, Hindis, Christians, and white and black can come
and work together," noted Balinese sculptor I Nyoman Nuarta, who
initiated the development of GWK, said in the concert's opening
speech.

The concert was opened with the national anthem, Indonesia
Raya, and the Australian national anthem Advance Australia Fair.
Both anthems symbolized how the two countries had suffered the
most from the tragedy and had become closer to help each other in
getting through the difficult times.

Addie MS, the conductor of the Twilite Orchestra, said the
idea to perform a memorial concert came after the Melbourne
Symphony Orchestra called and asked him for a copy of the
Indonesia Raya score for their memorial concert in Australia.

"I was both touched and humiliated by their request. How could
we do nothing to honor the victims while in Australia, the
government announced a national day of mourning and Queen
Elizabeth II led a special prayer for the victims. Then I came up
with the idea to hold a memorial concert here," he said.

Although it usually takes him at least six months to prepare a
big concert, this time Addie only needed 14 days to select the
songs, rehearse with the musicians and cast the singers,
including female tenor Linda Sitinjak, male soprano Christopher
Abimanyu, pop singer Rio Febrian and child star Sherina. The
concert also involved the Twilite Orchestra Choir and the Udayana
University Choir.

All in all, the performance put on a good show despite the
fact that it had been hastily prepared. However, the concert's
true achievement was that it managed to ease any emotional
tension which had engulfed the public, especially the blast
victims and the Balinese, during the days of horror following the
bombing.

Anger, sadness, despair and confusion may not go away soon but
at least these feelings could be soothed with the orchestra
playing songs of love, friendship, unity, peace and trust for the
Almighty God.

Some of the pieces played at the concert were the anthems of
international humanitarian causes or other peace concerts.

Examples were of John Lennon's immortal Imagine, sung by Rio,
and Diana Ross's If We Hold on Together by Linda. Religious
songs, such as Amazing Grace, Hymn to The Fallen and The Prayer,
turned the atmosphere of the open-air theater into a gripping,
solemn remembrance for those who had perished in the inferno.

While pieces cherishing love and friendship, such as You'll
Never Walk Alone reminded the audience that the bomb blast not
only damaged the lives of the victims and their families and
friends, but also the whole world.

On that special night, the songs were powerful enough to evoke
the emotions of the entire audience. People swayed lightly to the
music while their hands held their candles up high in the air
although there were hardly any tears.

Concert-goers gave a standing ovation to some of the songs
performed, while clapping their hands and holding each other
tightly to give support to one other.

Although most of those in attendance were Indonesians, a
number of foreigners were also seen among the crowd. The whole
crowd shared a common grief and were trying to overcome it.

When Sherina -- dressed in a white gown with five roses in her
silky black hair -- sung the melancholic Ibu Pertiwi
(Motherland), a song about a great country in a sorrowful state,
members of the audience struggled to hold back their tears.

Yet, the concert was more than just a musical event. State
Minister for State Enterprises Laksamana Sukardi stressed in his
speech that Indonesia was not a country of terrorists, but rather
a country that was being terrorized. He also urged the world not
to isolate Indonesia, an act that would give terrorists the
ultimate victory.

Praising Indonesian Muslims as being among the most peaceful,
tolerant and open-minded followers of Islam in the world,
Laksamana acknowledged the existence of radical groups in the
country. But, he added, they were small in number and their views
were totally rejected by the majority of the Indonesian Muslim
population.

"We have to make sure that the evil of a few does not
overwhelm the good of the majority," he said.