Broadcast live on YouTube on May 22, the Berbagi dalam Keterbatasan (Sharing in Confinement) concert featured some of Indonesia’s most popular musicians, such as singer-songwriter Melly Goeslaw, jazz guitarist and songwriter Tohpati, and actor-singer Maruli Tampubolon.

The concert opened with the national anthem “Indonesia Raya”, as is the norm at Indonesian concerts regardless of genre.

Conducted by Budi Utomo Prabowo, the orchestral rendition of the national anthem was as aurally glorious as can be, though the sight of musicians in formal wear in their own virtual boxes like in a teleconference is rather jarring to see.

Nevertheless, the concert went smoothly once you are accustomed to seeing the rapid change of musicians on screen as different parts of the piece highlight different musicians playing.

Up next was late composer Mochtar Embut’s “Varia Ibukota” (All About The Capital), an ode to Indonesia’s capital Jakarta and Betawi culture. 

Though played with Western instruments, it was not hard to envision the piece played over scenes of Jakarta of old, with percussions and oboe worked into the orchestra.

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