B

y waving his arms, orchestra conductor Stephen Tong starts an ensemble of musical instruments and a choir of members of the Jakarta Simfonia Orchestra during a rehearsal in the newly inaugurated Aula Simfonia Jakarta (Jakarta Symphony Hall) in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta.

Yet once in a while, what sounded like a perfect harmony to common ears was interrupted. The conductor asked the members to repeat the performance.

"Not quite yet," he said, before he reviewed the rehearsed notes.

Tong, who is also an architect and a composer, said he had strived for perfection and beauty all his life. His passion had led to his founding of the freshly established building.

"I am so grateful that this concert hall has made it possible for great performers both from local and foreign countries to perform good classical music such as in a philharmonic orchestra. Indonesia is now ready to host international orchestra performances," said Tong, who had been the building's main designer.

The hall, which has a 1,200-capacity, is equipped with proper acoustics to accommodate classical music concerts,. It is decked in red and gold hues and decorated with golden statues of muses holding musical instruments. Dozens of oval portraits of legendary composers such as Beethoven and Bach adorn its sides.

"We want to embrace the classical touch... we tried to create a warm, intimate atmosphere by using rich colors and wooden materials," said Alwi Sjaaf, the hall's project director,

A Steinway and Sons grand piano and a massive, 10-metric-ton Cassavant organ with 3,217 pipes further enhance the building's value.

"It's about time the city had a proper concert hall," Alwi said.

"Jakarta has plenty of restaurants, skyscrapers and hotels, yet we are deprived of the chance to enjoy high quality art."

Aldi said most classical concerts are often held in the city's hotel ballrooms or buildings such as the Jakarta Playhouse.

"Orchestras are not meant to use microphones at all. They require proper acoustics."

Thus, the hall, which is part of the cultural center of the Reformed Millenium Center of Indonesia, aims to provide all that's necessary to hold a classical music concert.

The hall's inauguration concerts last Saturday featured "Magnificat" by J. S. Bach and "Emperor" Piano Concerto No. 5 by L. V. Beethoven.