The gang’s all here: The Jakarta Philharmonic Orchestra led by Yudianto Hinupurwadi as conductor, was accompanied by the LunarS choir. (JP/Wendra Ajistyatama)" border="0" height="240" width="500">The gang’s all here: The Jakarta Philharmonic Orchestra led by Yudianto Hinupurwadi as conductor, was accompanied by the LunarS choir. (JP/Wendra Ajistyatama)

Every corner of the Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM) arts center in Cikini, Central Jakarta, was full of people attending various art events last week.

However, the center of the compound, Teater Jakarta, was dedicated to the man after which TIM was named — one of the nation’s greatest composers and a National Hero, Ismail Marzuki.

The spirit of Marzuki was evoked that night through the songs performed by the Jakarta Philharmonic Orchestra to celebrate the 100th anniversary of his birth.

The 75-minute concert was opened by a medley of nine songs that included some of his famous hits, such as “Juwita Malam” (Evening Beauty), “Wanita” (Woman) and “Payung Phantasie” (Phantasy Umbrella).

When the medley ended, the narrator for the evening, the poet Jose Rizal Manua, appeared on the side of the stage to give a brief introduction to Ismail Marzuki and his work.

The concert was divided into five movements, the first of which was a performance of the Jakarta Philharmonic Orchestra led by Yudianto Hinupurwadi as the conductor, accompanied by the LunarS choir.

They performed the first song Marzuki composed, dating from 1931, “O Sarina”, and “Sepasang Mata Bola” (A Pair of Eyeballs) that generated a mellow mood throughout the hall.

‘O Sarina’: The orchestra performed the first song that Marzuki composed, dating from 1931, “O Sarina”, and “Sepasang Mata Bola” (A Pair of Eyeballs), which generated a mellow mood throughout the hall. (JP/Wendra Ajistyatama)
A swift change followed as violinist Sigit “Didiet” Ardityo joined the musicians on the stage for more playful compositions.

The audience slowly clapped their hands and tapped their feet, moving along with the music as Didiet and the orchestra played “Kopral Jono” (Corporal Jono) and a reprise of “Payung Phantasie”.

The third movement of the concert began when the French-based opera singer Mariam Tamari performed Marzuki’s “Chandra Buana”, “Wanita” and “Yii”.

With her soprano voice, she gave majestic touch to the songs, sending shivers down the spines of those in the audience.

Tamar, whose father is a Palestinian artist father and mother a Japanese school teacher, grew up in Tokyo, Japan. The soloist has performed in many recitals and concerts in Japan, the US, Europe and the Middle East.

Next, the sound of a ukulele from the orchestra brought a keroncong nuance into the hall as LunarS came back to the stage to sing “Bunga Anggrek” (Orchid), “Rangkaian Melati” (Jasmine Chain) and “Juwita Malam”.

The final part of the concert was marked with the presence of all guest artists on the stage, performing Marzuki’s legendary “Indonesia Pusaka” and “Rayuan Pulau Kelapa”, which was composed in 1944.

Every corner of the Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM) arts center in Cikini, Central Jakarta, was full of people attending various art events last week.

However, the center of the compound, Teater Jakarta, was dedicated to the man after which TIM was named ' one of the nation's greatest composers and a National Hero, Ismail Marzuki.

The spirit of Marzuki was evoked that night through the songs performed by the Jakarta Philharmonic Orchestra to celebrate the 100th anniversary of his birth.

The 75-minute concert was opened by a medley of nine songs that included some of his famous hits, such as 'Juwita Malam' (Evening Beauty), 'Wanita' (Woman) and 'Payung Phantasie' (Phantasy Umbrella).

When the medley ended, the narrator for the evening, the poet Jose Rizal Manua, appeared on the side of the stage to give a brief introduction to Ismail Marzuki and his work.

The concert was divided into five movements, the first of which was a performance of the Jakarta Philharmonic Orchestra led by Yudianto Hinupurwadi as the conductor, accompanied by the LunarS choir.

They performed the first song Marzuki composed, dating from 1931, 'O Sarina', and 'Sepasang Mata Bola' (A Pair of Eyeballs) that generated a mellow mood throughout the hall.

'O Sarina': The orchestra performed the first song that Marzuki composed, dating from 1931, 'O Sarina', and 'Sepasang Mata Bola' (A Pair of Eyeballs), which generated a mellow mood throughout the hall. (JP/Wendra Ajistyatama)
A swift change followed as violinist Sigit 'Didiet' Ardityo joined the musicians on the stage for more playful compositions.

The audience slowly clapped their hands and tapped their feet, moving along with the music as Didiet and the orchestra played 'Kopral Jono' (Corporal Jono) and a reprise of 'Payung Phantasie'.

The third movement of the concert began when the French-based opera singer Mariam Tamari performed Marzuki's 'Chandra Buana', 'Wanita' and 'Yii'.

With her soprano voice, she gave majestic touch to the songs, sending shivers down the spines of those in the audience.

Tamar, whose father is a Palestinian artist father and mother a Japanese school teacher, grew up in Tokyo, Japan. The soloist has performed in many recitals and concerts in Japan, the US, Europe and the Middle East.

Next, the sound of a ukulele from the orchestra brought a keroncong nuance into the hall as LunarS came back to the stage to sing 'Bunga Anggrek' (Orchid), 'Rangkaian Melati' (Jasmine Chain) and 'Juwita Malam'.

The final part of the concert was marked with the presence of all guest artists on the stage, performing Marzuki's legendary 'Indonesia Pusaka' and 'Rayuan Pulau Kelapa', which was composed in 1944.

Spirit: The centenary of Marzuki's birth was observed that night through songs performed by the Jakarta Philharmonic Orchestra. (JP/Wendra Ajistyatama)
The stage suddenly became the sea of red and white as dancers carrying Indonesian flags moved in time with the song, which tells about the archipelago's nature beauty.

They closed the show by performing 'Halo-halo Bandung', prompting the audience to give standing ovation.

Ismail Marzuki, a native Betawi, was born in Kwitang, Senen, Batavia (now Jakarta), on May 11, 1914, and died on May 25, 1958, at 44 years old. He was buried in Karet Bivak Public Cemetery in Central Jakarta.

Marzuki the pianist composed at least 240 songs. He was known as a composer who did not only write about romantic songs, but also patriotic songs, showing his love of Indonesia.

Moreover, Marzuki was also known as a musician whose works were greatly influenced by the struggles of people during the independence period.

'Kopral Jono', 'Selamat Jalan Pahlawan Muda' (Goodbye, Young Hero), and 'Selamat Datang Pahlawan Muda' (Welcome, Young Hero) were songs that he made to welcome the homecoming of the army to Jakarta.

Thanks to his works, he was declared a National Hero in 2004.