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)