The composer of 'Bengawan Solo'

Most people believe that the composer of the famous song Bengawan Solo was Mr. Gesang Martodihardjo. But I was surprised to hear that the composer of the song isn't Gesang, but the late Sujoko. Mr. Gesang claimed that he composed Bengawan Solo and has received many awards and royalties.

One time, a friend in Semarang sent me a letter informing me all about Bengawan Solo and its composer. He told me that on June 27, 1950, he watched an orchestra performance which was held in Semarang. The show was hosted by Mr. Maladi and the orchestra was led by Jos Cleber, who was helped by Mr. Kamsidi, Jahja and Tom Dissevelt. The musicians were from the Philharmonic Radio Orchestra, Cosmopolitan Orchestra and the Jakarta Studio Orchestra.

On the invitation card/program book was written: "Bengawan Solo -- Andante, Pentjipta (composer) Sujoko; Arrangement: T. Dissevelt. According to a Kagunan Jawi magazine article from 2603 in the Javanese calender, or 1943, Sujoko was a Monte Carlo violinist who was led by Miss Sukinah and Mr. Gesang, a newcomer, who was 25 at the time. Sujoko was a heavy smoker and died a bachelor during the Japanese occupation. He was the composer and arranged the Bengawan Solo song. His peer was the famous singer Mardja Kahar.

The orchestra group was very popular. Before the war, the group went on tour and stopped at Muar, Batupaha, Djohore, Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh Kedah, Teloek Insin, Taiping and Penang.

Sujoko composed Bengawan Solo in 1938. If he were still alive, he would be an octogenarian. Unfortunately, he never knew that his arrangement has presently become very popular.

To get the facts straight in history, my friends and I are very curious to know who was the real composer of the Bengawan Solo song. Was it Mr. Gesang or the late Sujoko?

We would be very grateful if somebody could give us further information.

M. HADI S.

Purwokerto, Central Java