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Letter to the editor: Ananda Sukarlan clarifies
I am deeply grateful for Stanley Widiantoâs article on me, titled âHis Unending Dedicationâ, which appeared in The Jakarta Post on Nov
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I
am deeply grateful for Stanley Widianto's article on me, titled 'His Unending Dedication', which appeared in The Jakarta Post on Nov. 6. He did a great job, and indeed we talked a great deal in depth at my office while I was in Jakarta last month. But I would like to clarify some aspects.
When mentioning 'the government's consistent orphaning of classical music', I was referring to previous administrations. Having received the Education and Culture Ministry's Cultural award this year, the present government has not only shown appreciation for my works but also recognized the role classical music has in the healthy development of our country.
I am not a proponent of government subsidies for classical music as such measures do not help increase people's love for it. If the general audience loves it, then they will happily pay for it. Those who do not have a need for or love classical music should not have to contribute their tax money for classical music subsidy programs. In Europe, government subsidies have been abused by artists who usually have easy access and connections to curators and those who cut the subsidy cake. Subsidies for classical music should be used to promote Indonesian classical music to the world, instead of organizing hundreds of concerts with no clear necessity and public interest.
In fact, the growing disinterest in classical music in Europe is the result of unnecessary subsidies for particular kinds of 'arts'. These subsidies have enabled those artists to stay in their ivory towers without making any kind of public contribution.
Classical music is for the 'segmented field', as Stanley wrote, but I would like to add that this is only the case in Europe. In Asia, we can change the situation before it is too late. I believe that the future of classical music is in Asia, since it is not tied by tradition. Therefore, we can be more innovative and daring in its presentation to the public at large.
Of course, we have different problems than those in Europe. The way Indonesian musicians and audiences think is so different than our European counterparts. Indonesian problems need Indonesian solutions. Moreover, the solutions offered by European artists and government proved to be ineffective in maintaining public interest in classical music, as evidenced by the demographic profile of its listeners. In Europe, the majority of the genre's listeners are aged 50 and older, while in Indonesia listeners are mostly young people.
Last but not least, I am so far from frustrated and tired. On the contrary, I have found the greatest job on earth. Classical music is still new to this region, therefore there are so many things to work on and that is exciting!
Ananda Sukarlan
Composer and pianist
Jakarta
Thank you for your clarification.
Editor
