Jakartans learn to love classical music
Jakartans learn to love classical music
Beccy Ann, Contributor, Jakarta
Entitled the Popstravaganza Holiday Concert, the performance by
the Twilite Orchestra on Dec. 18 was packed with an audience of
some 750 people.
The tickets were completely sold out, making it impossible to
purchase them on the eve of the performance.
Held at the Graha Bhakti Budaya at the Taman Ismail Marzuki
Arts Center, Central Jakarta, the performance was designed to add
to the celebratory atmosphere of this festive season.
The repertoire was a mix between classical and popular pieces,
with distinguished classics like Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker
Suite and Bizet's Farandole in the first half of the program.
In the second half, the Twilite Orchestra collaborated with
singers Memes, Ricky Jo and soprano Linda Sitinjak, accompanied
by the Twilite Chorus in more contemporary songs such as The
Christmas Song and Winter Wonderland.
Also included in the second half of the program were musical
themes from the films The Sound of Music and Home Alone, as well
as White Christmas, the famous title song from the 1942 Bing
Crosby movie.
It was the fourth Popstravaganza Concert that Twilite
Orchestra has held, which marked the close of their season for
2002. As has become tradition for the orchestra, an informative
lecture session led by Andrew Dougherty was held just prior to
the concert.
During this session, various aspects of the evening's
performance were explained and expanded upon, like the stories
behind the music, the origins of the pieces, the various musical
influences of the composers, and so on.
The session was an effort by conductor Addie M.S. to inform
the audience about the repertoire before the performance,
therefore familiarizing them to what they were about to hear.
At the end of the performance, the audience showered the
orchestra, its chorus and guest performers with a standing
ovation, and Addie graciously reappeared for three encores, to
the enthusiastic veneration of the audience.
Upon first hearing the term "Popstravaganza", the most likely
impression is that of an extravagant pop event. However, in this
particular event, the entire first half was a collection of well-
known classics, considered standard repertoire by most
professional orchestras in the world. Having said that, however,
the technical standard of the performance fell short of
international standards.
"In terms of being able to play at the level of orchestras
abroad, the Twilite Orchestra still has a lot of work to do. But
this concert has been one of the best in terms of the
professionalism of the orchestra -- practicing, punctuality,
etc.," Addie said.
The classical compositions chosen were ambitious for any
orchestra, especially The Nutcracker excerpts, for the reason
that since the melodies are so famous, flaws are easily picked
up.
Addie laughingly groaned, recalling the rehearsals.
"There were many, many difficulties, and there is still much
to learn. Every concert is a learning opportunity, but we just
need practice, and the next performance will be better."
Addie confirmed that The Nutcracker will be performed again,
hopefully for more than the 26 minutes featured during this
year's Popstravaganza.
Although Addie claims to hold classical music in his highest
esteem, he said it is unlikely that the Twilite Orchestra will
have an all-classical concert.
"We tried that once or twice, but the response was not very
enthusiastic. Also, our sponsors did not support the idea."
Even at the Holiday Concert, the classical repertoire was all
romantic music, which is more dramatic and would probably hold
the audience's attention for a longer time, especially those new
to classical music.
One thing quite odd was the sound system used for the first
half, which seemed to be the same as the one used for the second.
There are not many orchestras who use microphones in classical
performances, because the result is a more brittle sound, which
results in a loss of the warm, unified acoustics of the
orchestral ensemble.
Though a large amount of thought and calculation obviously
went into the placing of microphones, sound barriers and
speakers, one cannot help but wonder how the first half would
have sounded without electronic enhancement.
Despite the shortcomings, the Twilite Orchestra is making an
earnest attempt to instill an appreciation for classical music in
the Indonesian public. While still catering to public demand for
popular music, it is slowly trying to educate the audience about
classical music.
The sold-out performance is a testament to the large following
the Twilite Orchestra has gained in the years since its
establishment in 1991, and music lovers of all ages could be seen
enjoying the concert.
However, there were noticeably more listeners in the second
half than in the first, and even while the orchestra was playing,
the hall was audibly buzzing with activity, from mobile phone
conversations to whispering between listeners.
Also evident was the difference in the applause for the first
half and the second half. Compared to the stamping and cheering
for the second half, the applause for the first half was merely
polite, a non-committal obligation.
In regards inappropriate audience etiquette, such as entering
the concert hall after a musical piece has already begun, or
clapping in between movements, Addie admitted to being annoyed.
"It is disturbing but understandable, as the audience is still
learning about classical music. This audience truly represents
the general music-loving public of Indonesia, and the etiquette
and behavior shown is an indicator of the stage we are at now
concerning the understanding of classical music."
Although die-hard classical music lovers would have been
disappointed, the Popstravaganza Holiday Concert had something
for everybody, resulting in an enjoyable, well-rounded evening
for its audience, and successfully accented this month's holiday
season.
Beccy Ann is a student at the Pelita Harapan senior high school
in Lippo Karawaci, Tangerang. She has been at The Jakarta Post
for two weeks as part of a work experience program.