The Adiswara Gadjah Mada choir group will collaborate with Indonesian pop stars to present “Simfoni Layar Perak Indonesia” (“Indonesian Silver Screen Symphony”) at Balai Kartini’s Nusa Indah Theater in Kuningan, South Jakarta, on Oct. 6.
Adiswara is comprised of alumni of the student choir of Yogyakarta’s Gadjah Mada University (UGM).
Around 80 members of Adiswara will share the stage with actress-singer-songwriter Maudy Ayunda, Indonesian Idol first season runner-up Delon, and legendary pop singer Vina Panduwinata to sing original soundtracks from Indonesian movies made between the 1950s until the present.
“We chose to invite the three because they have a history of lending their voices for movie soundtracks,” Adiswara Gadjah Mada chairwoman Rita Kusuma Prabandari said during a press conference at Balai Kartini on Tuesday (26/09).
Maudy Ayunda is known for her role in “Perahu Kertas” (“Paper Boat”), in which she also sang, while she also lent her voice for the Indonesian version of “How Far I’ll Go,” the original soundtrack for Disney’s “Moana.”
On the other hand, Delon played the leading man in the 2005 film “Vina Bilang Cinta,” in which he also sang the soundtrack. The songs from the movie are actually cover versions of Vina Panduwinata’s hits.
In addition to their experiences, the fact that they come from three different generations is expected to appeal to audiences of various age groups.
What to Expect
Theresia Chrisnani, the concert’s creative director, said she chose soundtracks as the theme because they deserve more appreciation, since they play such a large part in making a movie memorable.
“Even if a movie is no longer aired, we still often sing its songs,” Theresia said.
She added that the concert will be a refreshing performance because there is a tendency for choirs to perform what is commonly done. Even if they incorporate some contemporary music, it will be one that sounds “choral,” such as Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” She said soundtracks are not likely to be found in a choir’s repertoire.
Thirty-five famous songs from movies of diverse genres, including romance, comedy, horror, action and children’s movies, have been prepared for the concert.
Audience members will have the opportunity to serenade to “Mengejar Matahari” (“Chasing the Sun”) from the eponymous movie released in 2004; some songs from the 1977 film “Badai Pasti Berlalu” (“The Storm Will Surely Pass”); and masterpieces by respected soundtrack composer Melly Goeslaw, among others.
Besides alumni, representatives of the Gadjah Mada University Student Choir are also set to hit the stage, with part of the proceeds earmarked to fund their upcoming participation in the Malta International Choir Festival in Europe during November.
Theresia added that the audience can expect some surprises during the two-hour concert. One of them is watching Public Works Minister Basuki Hadimuljono – also an UGM alumnus – play the drums accompanying the performance of Vina Panduwinata.
Tickets are priced between Rp 300,000 and Rp 750,000 ($22.50-$56.25) and are available on Kiostix and also here.
