Vienna Elm Ensemble mesmerizes Jakartans

By Deborah Hutauruk

JAKARTA (JP): Alluring people with small red ribbons pinned on their gowns were chatting in front of Shangri-La hotel's Sumatra Ballroom, giving the impression that some fabulous ball or party was about to begin.

It turned out that six young musicians were to perform.

Vienna Elm Ensemble, to which the musicians belonged, drew curiosity from classical music lovers in Jakarta. They were performing to raise funds for the Indonesian AIDS Foundation. Last week's event was sponsored by Mercedes-Benz Group Indonesia, Lufthansa and the hotel.

"Due to emerging AIDS health concerns in Merauke, this event is especially intended to support the operation of the local non- governmental organization there." said Martina Widjaya, the foundation's chairwoman. "We invited the sextet Vienna Elm Ensemble to perform on this charity night."

While trios and quartets are far more common, major past composers have also written compelling pieces for sextets.

There was no conductor, no doubling up on parts and each instrument had its own solo part and the players had to perform in perfect harmony and tempo.

The sextet ensemble comprised of Russel McGregor (violin), Isabel Schneider (violin), James Hogg (viola), Judith Schloglhofer (viola), Irene Frank (cello) and Michael Williams (cello).

The group, which performed free for the event, was established one year ago when McGregor, 35, the concert master for the Vienna Chamber Opera Company, decided to try a sextet.

"Sextet is rather difficult because we have to know exactly the other players' playing," he said. "I was challenged by that and we needed several months to get ourselves adjusted to each other. Fortunately, the musical environment in Vienna supported our enthusiasm as a sextet group."

During their trip to Jakarta, they had to pay for extra seats on the plane to put two cellos on because the temperature of the cargo hold was too cold for the cellos' strings.

At rehearsal the previous night, the players voiced concern, saying the big ballroom was quite untypical and unsuitable for a classical music performance, which needs specific conditions of the walls, ceiling and floor for a flawless show.

"What should we do?" asked McGregor.

The organizers, therefore, attempted to use their own sound system.

Concert

The concert, attended by Coordinating Minister for Production and Distribution Hartarto, was performed live in front of about 400 spectators who mostly wore fancy black attire and delicate makeup. No camera flashes or clicking sounds were allowed because they could disturb the musicians' concentration.

These young musicians looked more like artists than classical musicians. Appearing fresh and friendly, they gave their best shot to satisfy the audience.

Led by McGregor, the musicians moved their bodies as their fingers danced quickly on their instruments, while the audience concentrated on the music, trying to imagine something far and soothing.

They performed Luigi Boccherini's Streichsextett in Es-Dur, Op. 23, Richard Strauss' Streichsextett aus Capriccio, Op. 85 and Peter Tchaikovsky's Souvenir de Florence, Op. 70.

It was a rare classical night in Jakarta and quite eerie due to the luxurious ballroom. During the performance of Boccherini's composition, attention was broken for a moment when the loud speaker unexpectedly emitted a cracking sound. Behind spectacles, Schloglhofer's eyes glistened but her husband, McGregor, kept the group in control.

The composition demanded the perfect performance of the two cellos. In the right corner, Williams and Frank, supporting their cellos with their legs, moved the instruments along to the rhythm of the music, their faces full of concentration.

The affectionate and powerful sound of the cellos gave the most harmonized tone, especially in Strauss' andante con moto composition which encouraged the audience to fantasize.

The performance reached its climax after the intermission when the ensemble played the amusing Tchaikovsky. By that time, people were already sated with tasty appetizers. The light and melodious Russian style piece -- the composer wrote it while in Italy -- kept the audience alive.

The audience got more elated with the exhilarating and gay last movement, allegro vivace. Even Schneider kept smiling, seemingly enjoying the rapid spirit.

Hogg, who learned violin at very early age after watching the Star Wars movie, said he was not nervous and was trying to concentrate on the performance regardless of earlier tinkering sounds.

When asked about their opinion of the performance, Schneider and Williams said the audience was very attentive and appreciative.

"I think every performance is different and this one has an admirable mission," Schneider said, then looked appreciatively at the silver miniature of a gadang West Sumatran traditional house she received, and said she could not wait to try spicy Indonesian food. "We feel honored by this invitation."