The composer of 'Bengawan Solo'

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