Need for new Concert hall?

The Sunday Post's article on the need for a concert hall for classical music performances (Kuei works towards concert hall dream, Sunday, July 16, 1995) deserves our attention. I concur with the opinion expressed in the article that there is enough money around to construct such a building.

However, I am not sure whether our contemporary society can be coaxed into financing such a project, especially since the ultra- haves do not see any prestige in dabbling in such an ungrateful activity. These nouveaux riches spend their money on things which in their eyes are more rewarding, such as shopping for expensive articles in malls, dinners and wedding receptions in five-star hotels, memberships at the more expensive sports clubs, frequent trips abroad with possibly exclusive cruises. These things speak for them because they can impress their circle of friends and acquaintances, while understandably the role of Maecenas of western classical music does not appeal to them. It may take a generation to get interested in that kind of music. Besides, they have no time for an activity where they risk falling asleep, so boring can classical music sound to certain ears. Even the great Arthur Schnabel once admitted that his recitals (his playing of the complete Beethoven sonatas remains to this day a paragon of interpretation) might tire listeners.

The article infers that star-rated hotels are acoustically not suitable for classical music performance. This may be true, but the main cause for less successful evenings is, I think, the wrong ambience being created because there are many people in the audience who are there not for the music but for the occasion. It is heart-warming to be seen by acquaintances when you wear your latest outfit against the backdrop of a five-star hotel, but to sit still for an interminable time with nothing to see and a lot to listen to is pure torment even for the well-intentioned.

While the idea of having an ideal concert hall is remote, efforts could now be taken to raise the standard of music in less prestigious halls. Improved quality of music performances may lead to more interest on the part of the public. Only then, with wider support and possibly more substantial state subsidies, will there be a chance to eventually build a proper concert hall.

Even musical centers like London and Paris do not have many buildings with the right acoustics. Personally I have fond memories of not-so-well maintained halls like the Wigmore and the Gaveau. The eminent Spanish pianist Alicia de Larrocha left an indelible impression of her interpretative artistry, especially in the final part of Schumann's C major Fantasy, in the uncomfortable Wigmore Hall. What Jakarta actually needs is up-to- standard quality performances, not initially a brand-new concert hall.

The Post's article is not clear on two things: (1) "She has won several international competitions..." Does it mean the first prize in each of the competitions quoted? (Harold Bauer, Gina Bachauer, et al.) (2) "... a doctoral degree for piano performance." There are awards for acting in the USA: the Oscar for films and the Tony for theater. I have never heard of PhDs for the performing arts including music. Is not a PhD conferred on the basis of a thesis followed by an examination? I would be grateful if somebody could enlighten me on these two queries.

S. HARMONO

Jakarta