German musicians contribute to Jakarta's music scene

German musicians contribute to Jakarta's music scene

JAKARTA (JP): It has been a while since German classical
musicians performed in Jakarta. Quite a noticeable gap when you
consider that up to about four years ago they frequently visited
Jakarta.

This year, though, their presence will be quite strong, at the
current Jakarta International Festival of the Performing Arts and
outside it: one chamber orchestra followed by visits of four
pianists.

The Cologne Chamber Orchestra is one of the foremost German
orchestral groups with a distinguished record of performances
going back to when it was established in the late twenties. It
has 30 members and has been directed by Helmut Mueller-Bruehl
since the early 60s. Under his leadership the group has become
the permanent orchestra at the Augustusburg Palace. The roster of
famous names who have worked with the orchestra is impressive,
and includes, Jorg Demus, Pierre Fournier, Jean-Pierre Rampal,
Wolfgang Scheiderhan and Igor Oistrakh.

Their performance, at Gedung Kesenian Jakarta today, will be a
treat especially for lovers of the baroque and early classical
periods, the speciality of the orchestra. The program features
works by Johann Christian Bach (youngest son of Johann
Sebastian), Saverio Mercadante and W.A. Mozart. Two concertos
will be presented, a flute concerto by Mercadante and Mozart's
oboe concerto in C. It is Bach's work that is of special interest
as he is generally regarded as instrumental in establishing the
classical style.

Following the Cologne Chamber Orchestra's performance, monthly
piano recitals will be given by four young German artists who
have already made their mark on the international circuit. All
performances will be held at Erasmus Huis, and span a wide range
of musical styles, from Mozart to Heinz Holliger, a Swiss
composer born in 1939, whose work contains elements of Indian
musical rhythms.

The series begins on Sept. 10 with Lars Vogt performing
compositions by Haydn, Brahms and Schubert. Next, on Oct. 10,
Heidrun Holtmann will perform Schumann, Scriabin, Debussy and
Ravel and will be followed on Nov. 7 by Claudius Tanski
performing Bach-Busoni, Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann and
paraphrases by Liszt of works by Schubert, Schumann and Verdi.
Finally, Rolf Plagge will appear on Dec. 6 with compositions by
Mozart, Chopin, Scriabin and Rachmaninov.

--Gus Kairupan