Twilite Orchestra's Journey: From a Beachside Stage to 35 Years of Harmony
JAKARTA – Orchestral music is often perceived as distant, grandiose, and detached from everyday public life. However, in the hands of Addie MS alongside his colleagues, the late Oddie Agam and Indra Usmansjah Bakrie, that wall of exclusivity gradually softened.
The 35-year journey is not merely a record of performance statistics but a portrait of how a classical music idea survived amidst the fluctuating tides of the Indonesian entertainment industry. When the concept of forming an orchestra was first proposed, the response was not entirely applause. The musician, who was at the peak of his career in the domestic pop industry, was met with doubt from his closest circles.
“At that time, I was extremely busy in the commercial music industry. Making albums for this singer, that singer. For cassettes back then, and then CDs. So, suddenly wanting to form an orchestra, I was laughed at by my friends, ‘Ah, it’ll only last two months,’” Addie MS said during a press conference in Jakarta on Tuesday (28/7/2026).
That scepticism did not extinguish his intention but instead transformed into a drive to prove otherwise. The endurance of Twilite Orchestra for more than three decades became the answer to past doubts, an achievement its founder acknowledges as a combination of perseverance and fate.
“How could a prediction of two months turn into 35 years to this day? If it weren’t for the grace of the Almighty, it wouldn’t have been possible. Many surprising events happened along the way,” Addie said.
The collective journey actually began with an unexpected invitation. Indra Usmansjah Bakrie, through his nephew the late Oddie Agam, intended to present a musical performance to enliven a housewarming event in the Anyer area.
Addie initially refused the request considering the technical and logistical complexities of an orchestral performance. However, a personal approach eventually softened his decision. The moment occurred precisely on the first birthday of his son.
“One day, my son Kevin Aprilio was turning one year old. It was 1991. Oddie Agam came with his child, Alif. After the birthday party, he said, ‘Please, Addie. Help me out. Indra really wants this for the housewarming.’ So, I finally gave in,” Addie recounted.