Twilite honors commitment to fine music

Twilite honors commitment to fine music

Sonitha, Contributor, Jakarta

The Twilite Popstravaganza concert in Jakarta on Wednesday was
good proof that the 10-year-old Twilite Orchestra continues to
live up to its commitment to performing the finest class of
orchestral music.

Consistency in quality is what it's all about.

Not only did they perform well, their mission to introduce
ensemble music to the Indonesian public and to educate others
further, was accomplished and deserves acknowledgement.

"It is somehow difficult to introduce symphonic orchestra
music and to have the appreciation of the general public.
However, we are committed to fulfilling this mission," explained
Twilite's conductor, Addie MS.

Instead of a heavy classical arrangement, Twilite Orchestra
performed something more familiar to the general public's ear.
This time they presented the soundtracks of the most celebrated
movies, beginning with the movie score to the award-winning
Moulin Rouge. Twilite developed the excitement through Orpheus of
the Underwater World -- a scene in the movie where Satin (Nicole
Kidman) and her fellow artists pretend to rehearse a new musical
called Spectacular, Spectacular in front of a rich duke.

Apart from Moulin Rouge, other familiar soundtracks from Home
Alone, Diva, Independence Day, Saving Private Ryan and Who Framed
Roger Rabbit were also performed, each one bringing back memories
of those films.

There was one particular song that really made the audience
experience the excitement of rewinding time by 20 years. The
magic of Steven Spielberg's 1982 box office smash, E.T. (Extra
Terrestrial) can strongly be felt as the rhythm composed by John
Williams played resembling a cool breath of air. The music
sensations of this soundtrack made me imagine I was biking in the
air toward the bright full moon.

But the most stunning performance was by 25-year-old pianist
Levi Gunardi, as he played Geroge Gershwin's famous Rhapsody in
Blue. The agility of his hands, youth of his face and relaxed
manner in performing simply created amazement among the audience.
Some could not help but to shake their heads seeing the speed of
his fingers, the accuracy of each note and the tempo.

Rhapsody in Blue is indeed an uncommon piece of art. Levi
himself admitted that the most difficult part of this repertoire
was to master both the classical and jazzy rhythms. It is very
American in its daring and its energy. And like America, it was a
veritable "melting pot" of the influences that shape this
experimental jazz concerto consisting of Joplin's tuneful piano
rags, the rhythmic jazz of Harlem's clubs, the folk music of
Yiddish Theater and the post Romantic music of Ravel, Schoenberg
and Stravinsky. Those who have already seen the animation of
Fantasia 2000 would definitely be entertained by Levi's perfect
recital.

Apart from that, two of the most romantic Italian opera songs
composed by Giacomo Pucini were performed during the second half
of the show. Che gelida manina, sung by Christopher Abimanyu.

Christopher brought the romance through his character of voice
and through Pucini's dreamy libretto. /What a frozen little hand,
let me warm it for you. /I am poor but when it comes to dreams
and visions and castles in the air, /I have the soul of a
millionaire.

Another delightful performance by soprano Linda Sitindjak
added orchestral color with her operatic rendition of Madame
Butterfly. She beautifully demonstrated the expressiveness of the
song yet showed the lifelessness of Madame Butterfly. Puccini
would be happy listening to it.

As a special part of this event, Addie MS also invited a guest
conductor, Brian Everett, who highlighted the night with When You
Wish Upon a Star from the Pinnochio which won an academy award
for best musical score in the 1940s. The orchestra plus the solid
Twilite Chorus shared the softness of this lullaby.

Twilite Orchestra has successfully selected the best picks of
movie soundtracks, making it an imaginative journey from
Disneyland and Hollywood to the opera houses of Italy. Yet the
audience was not ready for Twilite's final bow, the applause just
wouldn't stop during its standing ovation.

Addie then came back and conducted another repertoire composed
by Lee Roy Andersen, a playful pizzicato cutely played by the
string musicians. As Addie moved with his funny cartoonic
gestures the audience began to laugh and became immersed in the
happy melody and once again the crowd clapped continuously.

Everyone went home happy. A job well done and a mission
accomplished.