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.