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'Kisah Mawar': Tribute to 'seriosa' and ‘keroncong' from Rose Pandanwangi
Kisah Mawar: 90 Tahun Rose Pandanwangi Sudjojono untuk Seriosa dan Keroncong will combine discussions and performances.
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Rose Pandanwangi, classical singer and wife of maestro painter S. Sudjojono, sings 'Mawar di Malam Hari' (Rose in the Night) at the opening of 'Hidup Mengalun Dendang', an exhibition of sketches and artworks of S. Sudjojono, at Bentara Budaya, Central Jakarta on June 6, 2017. (JP/Wienda Parwitasari)
R
ose Pandanwangi is considered a legend of Indonesian classical music scene, especially in the seriosa and keroncong genres.
In Kisah Mawar Pandanwangi (Story of Rose Pandanwangi), an autobiography about the singer and wife of the late maestro painter S. Sudjojono, Sharifah Faizah Syeh Mohammed from MARA University of Technology in Malaysia wrote that seriosa was introduced in Indonesia in the 1950s as a category in Pemilihan Bintang Radio (Radio Star Competition) held by Radio Republic Indonesia (RRI). Considered "serious music", seriosa presents Indonesian poems with classical music.
Having been in the music industry for more than 50 years, Rose has wanted to hold a concert featuring seriosa and keroncong. Her wish will be realized with Kisah Mawar: 90 Tahun Rose Pandanwangi Sudjojono untuk Seriosa dan Keroncong (Rose Story: 90 years of Rose Pandanwangi Sudjojono for Seriosa and Keroncong), to be held on Jan. 27 at Ciputra Artpreneur Theater in South Jakarta.
Kisah Mawar is part of a series of events organized by the S. Sudjojono Center (SSC), an organization founded by S. Sudjojono’s family and fans to preserve art in Indonesia. It also coincides with the mezzo-soprano singer’s 90thbirthday on Jan. 26.
Kisah Mawar will combine discussions and performances. With two sessions in the discussions, keroncong and seriosa, the speakers include Sharifah Faizah Syeh Mohammed, composer Ananda Sukarlan, Multimedia Nusantara University rector Ninok Leksono, singer Intan Sukotjo and singer Ervina Simarmata.
Rose is expected to perform and attend the discussions. “She will share a bit about her experience from the beginning,” said Maya Sudjojono, director of SSC and one of her daughters, during a press conference on Jan. 24 at Ciputra Artpreneur in South Jakarta.
Read also: 'Hey Djon' highlights S. Sudjojono's poems
Meanwhile, artists who will perform during the event include poet Sapardi Djoko Damono, keroncong legend Sundari Sukotjo, Intan Sukotjo, classical singer Nikodemus Lukas and young keroncong musicians Sekar Pratiwi.
Sapardi is set to share the stage with Ananda and Nikodemus. “Sapardi will recite S. Sudjojono’s poems combined with Ananda’s composing and Nikodemus’ voice,” said Maya, adding that the poems will be dedicated to Rose.
On the same occasion, Ananda explained the preparations for his performance with Sapardi and Nikodemus. He used the term alih wahana(transformation) from a certain form of art into another. The same term is often used by Sapardi as well.
“We make music based on the poem’s essence,” said Ananda. “Although the words are being performed, but we must know what the poet wants to deliver. So it’s not from the words, but from what’s inside them.”
Intan Sukotjo, a young keroncong singer and cofounder of the Indonesia Keroncong Organization (YAKIN), said she would give a fresh touch to her performance to attract the younger generation. “There’ll be a collaboration across generations,” Intan said. “We want to give new color without eliminating the original elements of seriosa and keroncong.”
Offline and online tickets are available for those who want to attend the event, with prices starting from Rp 250,000 ($17.68). (wng)
