Idris Sardi gives different color to ABRI anniversary

By Lela E. Madjiah

JAKARTA (JP): The commemoration of the Armed Forces (ABRI) 51st anniversary will be different from previous celebrations, thanks partly to Idris Sardi.

As one of the country's best musicians and number one violinist, Idris, 57, has been appointed leader of the Armed Forces orchestra and choir which will present a colossal musical, Lintasan Sejarah ABRI, on Oct. 5 in the east parking lot of Senayan.

This is the first time a civilian has been appointed to handle the entertainment side of the commemoration.

"This is a great honor for me, for I am nothing. All I have is a big name and luck," Idris said, modestly.

The musical is being performed by 600 members of the Armed Forces, including members of the Persit Organization of Wives of Armed Forces Members. Idris is being assisted by choreographer Roy Tobing.

There are no speeches, no narration. Everything is depicted through music and songs. Starting with events in the 1800s, the musical opens with a medley of instrumental music, followed by the appearance of colonial soldiers in blue uniforms who stand guard over Indonesians in kain batik and blangkon as they toil in the rice fields.

Then comes Pangeran Diponegoro on his white horse, while the orchestra plays the Blue Danube.

The action moves to West Sumatra and Tuanku Imam Bonjol's resistance movement against the Dutch, then up to Aceh to depict the arrest of Cut Nyak Dien, the Duurstede Fort incident, then down to Bali to portray the armed resistance led by Lt.Col. I Gusti Ngurah Rai, before it arrives at 1928, marked by the song Satu Nusa Satu Bangsa.

It is also during this period that Indonesia Raya, the national anthem, was first played by its composer, W.R. Supratman. Idris plays the song on his violin beautifully, recalling the spirit of the nation in the wake of the struggle for independence. In fact, this interpretation is one of the best I have ever heard.

Another medley of songs follows the arrival of the Japanese and the defeat of the Dutch colonial troops. The Japanese period of hardship is depicted by a keroncong song and actors reliving men and women slaving under the strict watch of the Japanese troops. This is followed by the PETA (Pembela Tanah Air) rebellion and the song Maju Tak Gentar brings the audience to Independence Day, with Sukarno reading the declaration of independence.

Other important events depicted in the musical are the March 1, 1949 general offensive to take Yogyakarta led by Lt.Col. Soeharto, now President Soeharto, the war to free Irian Jaya, the 1965 abortive coup, the birth of the New Order government, the first general elections in 1972 and closes with Kebyar-Kebyar, a very popular song by the late Gombloh.

An interesting part of the musical is Idris' selection of pop, dangdut and jazz songs which represent the period after the birth of the New Order, including Benci Tapi Rindu, Sepanjang Jalan Kenangan and Begadang. The songs reflect his ability to capture the spirit of each period in the nation's history and the history of its armed forces. The audience cannot fail to identify with the songs and recall the memories each songs brings.

Idris' use of the song Genjer-Genjer to revoke the 1965 communist coup is brilliant. This banned Javanese song, becomes a "horror" in the hands of Idris, and people who went through that sad period of the nation's history cannot fail to feel the terror the period left.

But it is his choice of Kebyar-Kebyar which is really his masterpiece. Kebyar-Kebyar is nothing less than a statement of love for Indonesia which Gombloh so aptly captured in his lyrics and melody.

"I never knew Gombloh, I never met him, but I think I understand what he wanted to say," said Idris.

Although yesterday's rehearsal was still far from perfect, everybody present, including Armed Forces Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung, chief of the Kopassus special forces Maj. Gen. Prabowo, Chief of the Strategic Army Reserve Command Lt. Gen. Wiranto, were impressed.

"This shows ABRI's unity with the people," Feisal said when asked why Idris was chosen to put on the musical.

Maj. Gen. A. Djalal B., chairman of the organizing committee, added that the musical was very "civilian", to underline the unity of ABRI and the people.

The committee decided they did not want a repetition of past performances, which stressed ABRI's physical power.

Idris was a bit upset by the presence of so many generals during yesterday's rehearsal.

"We were not prepared for them because we have just arrived from Bandung," he explained. "Not even the sound system is working properly."

The orchestra, whose members come from different forces across the country, has been practicing in Bandung for the past two months under the supervision of Brig.Gen. Luhut Panjaitan, the deputy commander of the Bandung-based Infantry Weapons Center.

It was no easy job, given the circumstances.

First of all, the 90 musicians are not professional musicians.

"These are combat troops who were transferred to the orchestra, had their berets taken off them and ordered to play music. They were not proud of what they were doing, many never told their families they now belong to the orchestra," said Idris.

Worst of all, they did not understand the scales, notes, rhythm or harmony because they just learned the songs by heart.

"Basically, what they did was simply produce sounds. There was no expression, no feeling," said Idris, who only had 21 days to transform them into "great" musicians and singers.

To complicate matters, each member had different problems.

"For example, there are four different problems faced by four different saxophonists. One was good at blowing, another was an expert in pressing the keys ... so I had to teach them different strategies," said Idris.

"It was their discipline that helped make the whole thing work," said Idris, who is clearly proud of his team's achievements.

"Listen to them. To me, they're incredible. It's not them playing, but the angels," he added.

Isn't he breaking his own vow to not play again?

At a press conference in 1994 before his concert Perjalanan Karir Idris Sardi (Idris Sardi and His Career), Idris told reporters that he was retiring from music after 40 years. He said the concert, sponsored by Kompas to commemorate Indonesia's 49th Independence Day, would be the last time he played for the public.

His announcement was greeted with mixed feelings: Disappointment, understanding, even sneers from people who believed he was only seeking publicity.

But did Idris really need that kind of publicity? After all, he has won 10 Citra Awards for best music in the Indonesian Film Festival -- a record still unbroken. He also made history by being the youngest conductor of the Orkes Studio Jakarta at the age of 15. He has also created the music for over 170 films.

But all that was not enough.

Idris Sardi cries every time he hears the Army orchestra play before the President at the annual Aug. 17 Independence Day ceremony at the state palace.

"I am sad because they play so badly," he said. So he volunteered to lead the band.

According to Idris, the orchestra lacks feeling.

"They play the national hymns, not just songs. The hymns are laden with the messages of our heroes. Playing them or singing the songs call for feeling, expression, not just technique," he explained.

"I want to make them the best orchestra in Asia. After all, they are the largest in Asia," he said yesterday.

He had been keeping quiet about his involvement with the Army band, until he told The Jakarta Post yesterday.

"I was called to devote myself to the improvement of the Army band. For me, working with them is an act of religious devotion and they have one thing I cannot find outside: Discipline," Idris explained.