The Dictator and the Orchestra
After almost 20 years of being “on ice”, the Jakarta Symphony Orchestra (OSJ) which traces its origins to the Indonesian state radio, Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI) performed again for the public. Playing the works of Mozart, Bach, Johann Strauss II, and a number of other composers, hopefully their performance is a sign of the revival of the symphony orchestra. The following is Tempo’s coverage of OSJ. The first section is on symphony music in general, and the second section is about OSJ and all its problems.
February 17, 2010
SILENCE suddenly fell over the historic performance hall, as he raised his arms high. One, two, three seconds…time stood still, the half dozen people sitting before him seemed to hold their breath. They all seemed absorbed by the gaze of the figure standing before them with baton in hand, a step from the center of the half circle they formed on the stage.
Now he begins to move the baton, and the music flows slowly forth in a minor scale. One o
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