Open-air performance for orchestral group

Open-air performance for orchestral group

SURABAYA (JP): Four years and 11 performances after it was
establishment, the Surabaya Symphony Orchestra (SSO) was
conducted by a foreign musician. Robin Clavreul, from France, had
been teaching at a master-class workshop for six weeks before
being given the honor of conducting the orchestra before the
public on Friday. The concert took place in an outdoor setting at
Majapahit Mandarin Hotel, Surabaya.

It was a farewell concert for Dimitry Ovtchinnikoff (director
of CCCL Surabaya), as he is leaving his post here shortly.
Dimitry is known among Surabaya's cultural society as a person
concerned with the city's cultural climate. During his tour of
duty, a number of Indonesian-French cooperations in the fields of
music, theater and the arts have been done. To The Jakarta Post
he said he would return to France for another posting. Asked for
his impression during his stay here, he said briefly, "It's
fine." It was -- perhaps -- difficult to say that Surabaya was
not very stimulating culturally.

Slamet Abdul Sjukur, a Surabaya-born composer, composed a
special piece for Dimitry, whom he called "a close friend".
Dedicae, the title of the composition, was also dedicated to
another of Slamet's best friends, Jean-Paul Minali-Bella, also a
French musician taking part in the concert. The five-minute
composition was based on the C#-E-D# (Di-Mi-Ri) tones, which
could mean Dimitry.

The music was played with a sound perhaps unheard before
Surabaya's classical audience. It came from an arpegina, an
instrument created its player, Jean-Paul Minali-Bella. It is a
combination of a viola (with a'-d'-g-c strings) and cello (with
an additional fifth string -- the e -- which sounds as low as a
cello can be).

Jean-Paul, a French musician of Khamerum origin, explained
that he had created the arpegina three years ago. "I was involved
in a music and theater group. The scores and partiturs were
usually written for oboe, cello and flute. We needed a special
instrument which could be used as, or could simultaneously
replace the viola and cello." He seemed happy and proud of his
instrument.

What is so special about it? "Because it is new, it can play
all kinds of music. There is no limit. You can play classical or
contemporary compositions with this," he explained, going on to
demonstrate its sounds.

Too late

Robin Clavreul, who taught most SSO members in preparation for
the concert, said that people started learning instruments too
late in Indonesia. "In Europe, when you start at the age of 8, it
is considered too late. In Indonesia, I find many people started
when they are teenagers or even adults."

Robin also noticed that Indonesian people have long thin
fingers, which were good for playing string instruments. "What
they need is basic training." However, he seemed satisfied with
the six-week training results and happily conducted them in the
performance.

Viola d'amor

The concert was the first to be held out of doors and without
a sound system. "In Europe, you play concerts outdoors and
without a sound system. It seems to be a habit here to use a
sound system. It is not good. The sound should be natural and
undistorted," he said.

SSO director Solomon Tong, the first conducted the orchestra,
opened with two compositions: Konserto Viola d'Amore and D minor
Orchestra (Antonio Vivaldi), and Jeux d'enfants (George Bizet).
Then, Solomon handed his orchestra over to Robin, his special
guest. The orchestra then played Tobor and Dedicae (Slamet Abdul
Sjukur), Sonata for piano and arpeggione first movement (Frederic
Chopin), Konserto Cello and Orchestra, D Mayor, Op.101 (Franz
Joseph Haydn), and Konserto Viola and Orchestra (Bela Bartok).

Another special instrument played was the viola d'amor (love
viola). It is called this because the viola has double strings.
When one string is played, it affects the other string and
produces a harmonious new sound, just like two lovers working
together to produce the beauty of nature.

The Surabaya Symphony Orchestra was well backed by the special
guests, including the presence and performance of Slamet. If
there was any criticism, the players should have had more
confidence in themselves and played more wholeheartedly. And as
Robin suggested, they should be more serious in this profession.
However, this is dedicae for Surabaya, which is lacking quality
musical performances. Solomon Tong said that 20 years ago,
nobody was learning string instruments in Surabaya. "Everybody
played piano and organ. That's why, at present, when we play
concerts, we need to invite performers from Yogyakarta and
Jakarta."

Five years ago, nobody had ever dreamed of having an orchestra
in Surabaya. Now, Solomon Tong and the Surabaya Symphony
Orchestra have made the unimaginable come true. Surabaya is not
just filled with rock and jazz anymore. (Sirikit Syah)