“Vibes of Nusantara” Orchestrates Archipelagic Enchantment

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Jakarta Concert Orchestra performing at the Concert Hall, Esplanade, Singapore in a concert titled Vibes of Nusantara, on Wednesday (21/9/2022) night.

Applause for almost two minutes swept through the concert hall of Esplanade in Singapore on Wednesday night (21/9/2022) soon after the Jakarta Concert Orchestra completed the performance of “Lisoi” at the end of the concert.

The orchestra ensemble, led by conductor Avip Priatna, concluded their two-hour performance in a concert titled Vibes of Nusantara.

Avip led the ensemble’s members to bow together to bid farewell. He then left the stage. However, the audience looked unwilling to move and chose to remain in their seats for a while.

“Lisoi” had been chosen to be played as the closing song in the hopes it could provoke the audience’s emotions. The finale, as expected, got them so excited they were reluctant to leave their seats just yet.

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The "Lisoi" presentation opened with the majestic sound of a drum in the accompaniment of a 40-member choir of the Batavia Madrigal Singers (BMS). The voices of tenor Farman Purnama and soprano Jessica Januar immersed harmoniously into the lyrical lines.

The piece sent the atmosphere into cheers and joy. It seemed to be inviting the audience to move to the tune. At the end of the performance, Farman, Jessica and the BMS choir simultaneously shouted, “Lisoi!”. The song was arranged by Fero Aldiansya Stefanus with an embellishment of celebratory spirit that fired up the audience.

The concert hall, with some 1,000 audience inside, was back to stillness.

Avip returned to the stage, followed by the orchestra members. As they were taking positions, the host announced that an encore was ready to be played. The concert hall, with some 1,000 audience inside, was back to stillness.

The sound of the piano play was heard, initially faintly, in a tune to a melodic hum of a woman's voice, sound of birds, monkeys and a breezing wind against tree leaves. The sound was chanted a cappella by the BMS choir.

The song evoked an imagination of a journey into Indonesia’s tropical forested terrain. Some lyrical lines of the song sounded like a mantra that led an association to a specific tribal ritual celebration or ceremony. The celebratory vibe, as in “Lisoi”, seemed to be reverberating across the audience, some of them rhythmically shaking their heads.

KOMPAS/MOHAMMAD HILMI FAIQ

Jakarta Concert Orchestra performing at the Concert Hall, Esplanade, Singapore in a concert titled Vibes of Nusantara, on Wednesday (21/9/2022) night.

The audience applauded Avip and his orchestra members at the end of the performance. A compliment was also extended to Indonesian Ambassador to Singapore, Suryopratomo. “Thanks to Bu Giok [Hartono]. She is the one who has made it possible," Tommy, as the ambassador is affectionately called, said in humbleness while receiving handshakes of commendation from a number of guests. He was glancing at Giok.

Giok Hartono, is known as one of the most influencing figures behind the development of The Resonanz Music Studio, which includes the Jakarta Concert Orchestra, Batavia Madrigal Singers and The Resonanz Children's Choir. She beamed on receiving a compliment from Tommy. She herself could not help appreciating her musical touring members.

Verry, an Indonesian who has lived in Singapore for the past few years, was among the audience to applaud the performance. “What a beautiful show it was. This is the first time I've seen Indonesian songs performed in an orchestra," Verry, who hails from West Sumatra, said.

Two parts of play

That night's performance was a long yearning dream of Avip and his ensemble group. He said they harbored the desire long to hold a show outside Jakarta to present Indonesians’ composition or arrangement works in an orchestra.

Avip has been a conductor for 20 years. With his orchestra, he has been touring a number of countries several times to perform works and repertoire of Western classical music. The Jakarta Concert Orchestra’s Singapore tour marked Indonesia’s first orchestra to present the entire program from the works of classical Indonesian composers, packaged under Vibes of Nusantara.

The 23-minute presentation of “Sepasang Mata Bola” featured Jonathan Kuo on the piano.

Vibes of Nusantara was divided into two parts. In the first part, the Jakarta Concert Orchestra somberly performed, among others, “Tanah Airku” (My Homeland) by Ibu Sud and Ismail Marzuki’s “Sepasang Mata Bola” (a pair of eyes), which brought emotional suspension. The 23-minute presentation of “Sepasang Mata Bola” featured Jonathan Kuo on the piano.

Entering the second part, Avip invited the audience to explore Indonesia’s natural treasures stretching from the east to the west, through Ken Steven's composition "Hentakan Jiwa" (soul beat), which was inspired by Malay popular dance movements. After that, Arya Pugala Kitti’s composition "Rampak Melayu", which was also based on traditional dance, was played.

KOMPAS/MOHAMMAD HILMI FAIQ

Jakarta Concert Orchestra performing at the Concert Hall, Esplanade, Singapore in a concert titled Vibes of Nusantara, Wednesday (21/9/2022) night.

Avip and friends succeeded in transforming Indonesia’s archipelagic soul into classical music. It is possible that an orchestra from other parts of the world will play Indonesian compositions or arrangements in the future.

That night, Vibes of Nusantara palpably showed the enchanting civilization of Indonesia.

(This article was translated by Musthofid)