Program notes : on my marimba etude & "Jemari Menari"

My etude for marimba solo, written for my dear friend, the great marimba player Miquel Bernat will be published this spring, and they asked me for a program note. And Genie Tjahjadi, an Indonesian-born mezzosoprano living in the US will sing "Bibirku Bersujud di Bibirmu" and "jemari Menari" in her recital next April. I have written about "Bibirku" so she can use that article here: http://andystarblogger.blogspot.com.es/2009_11_01_archive.html , so I just had to write about "Jemari Menari", so here they are : .......................................................................................................................................... The Birth of Drupadi is the first of my trilogy on the Javanese mythology fascinating female character, Drupadi. The second is for guitar solo, The 5 lovers of Drupadi and the third is The Humiliation of Drupadi for 2 pianos. I am thankful to Miquel Bernat for his inspiring insight on his instrument that has made it possible for me to write this piece. .......................................................................................................................................... Drupadi was born of wrath & revenge and was destined to bear grudges in her life. She was born of fire, from the sacred fire ceremony done by the king Putrakarma Drupada of Panchala kingdom as a revenge to his friend Druna who had humiliated him in front of his disciples. The pain and resentment had driven King Drupada to hold a sacred ceremony. Drupada begged the gods to be blessed with the perfect child to avenge Druna. Drupada's prayer was answered. From the holy fire out came two figures that the gods bestowed to him. A handsome male figure complete with mighty armor was given the name Drestadyumna who would later be given the responsibility of the killing of Druna. And the beautiful maiden female figure with dark skin color was Drupadi. For her whole life, the element of fire remained within her. .......................................................................................................................................... Jemari Menari is inspired by, and therefore dedicated to, my friend "Tris" as he likes to be called. I met him for the first time through his "klappertaart" (a type of cake) in a birthday party of a common friend of ours as his present, and it turned out that he is a fantastic pastry chef. But what is amazing are his fingers; those 10 fingers are the most beautiful fingers I've seen in my life: they are perfectly shaped, long, agile and nimble. Since I've enjoyed his gastronomic masterpieces since then, I thought of giving something in return. Far from being a masterpiece, my song is just a tiny remembrance to celebrate those dancing 10 fingers of his producing those delicious cakes. I was fortunate that one of my favorite poet, Nanang Suryadi, has a short poem about that theme that really fits with the music I had in mind that I could use.

Saying yes, saying no, and to know the difference

"I wanna be a musician when I grow up". That sentence has been uttered by millions of children throughout the history of modern mankind, and has never let the parents be indifferent. Either it provoked horror, or the other way around, pride and happiness. In any case, it has a more powerful effect than "I wanna be an engineer / lawyer / pilot, or even a president". Those are "common" professions, while a musician is not. .......................................................................................................................................... But how does one become a musician? Well, we musicians now know that it's not as easy as you think. To have a musical career takes the same commitment, hard work and intelligence as those "common" professions, but unfortunately it is often still underestimated. But what is a musical career? My own definition of a "successful" musical career is not having lots of contracts and concerts, but it is when you can already refuse an offer for a project. In the beginning of my career, I said yes to everything, all projects handed to me. Even I accepted to perform some contemporary avant-garde music, which the majority as you know is total rubbish. At that time, in the 1990s, government subsidy in Europe was so big that they could accomodate all kind of trash, just for the sake of subsidizing the artist, and the more "crazy" he / she was, usually the more politically correct therefore he managed to collect lots of subsidies to promote his music and art through his close connections to the arts councils. But in the end, what we all want to do are the things which we like to do, not the things that give us money. When money is not an issue anymore, it is when we have the freedom to choose, and the freedom to refuse. But there IS an easy way out for having a career if it only means "fame" (although it doesn't last long, unfortunately). There is a tendency (in Indonesia, but I guess it also happens in other developing countries, even in the US) that classical music is a "status symbol" for the rich, therefore they PAY to perform a concert! And paying is not limited in performing, it goes further in recording, even having titles ... and even just BE yourself (who you are not, obviously). You see, there is nothing difficult if you have money, and lots of them. Yeah yeah, they say money can't buy happiness, but isn't it nicer to weep in a 5-star hotel room than under the bridge? I didn't have the opportunity, fortunately, to pay for anything in the past, simply because my parents weren't rich. And even now when I can pay, I will not do it for my daughter (who (un)fortunately is not interested in a musical career anyway), since I want her to go through all the difficulties in "climbing the mountain" as we say. .......................................................................................................................................... Competitions are the usual way of starting a musical career. One usually could only join competitions when they are under 26 or 27 years old. I never take a musician seriously if they never joined a competition in their lives. Even if one doesn't win, joining a competition proves that one is serious in pursuing one's musical career, or at least testing one's capability in music. For me, joining already means winning. Winning against yourself, winning against your own fear. If you don't fight for what you love, don't cry for what you lose. But I have noticed some common mistakes people made while joining music competitions : ............................................................................................................................................ 1. Choice of repertoire : although virtuosity is not a "must", in jury's subconscious mind, it is. You just can't join a competition with technically easy pieces. - 2. No try out before : this is suicide. Before you join a competition, you should do a "concert", even if it means just inviting your family and friends, and play the repertoire of your competition in front of them. That forces you to play the music right from the beginning to the end. - 3. thinking that the most important thing is the right notes, or being in tune. Diiinggg! Very wrong! Remember, music is to EXPRESS, not to IMPRESS. You can impress people with words (especially if they are lies), but not with music. - 4. performing the most "common" repertoire. Remember that the jury members have listened to at least 500 interpretations of Chopin's Ballades or Beethoven's Violin Sonatas. It makes them "compare" and not "enjoy", and more often than not, the odds are never in your favour. ............................................................................................................................................ But remember, the toughest competition is not against other musicians. It's against yourself. You are your worst enemy. The dark forces are within you, even if you are not the son of Darth Vader. ............................................................................................................................................ I am very much looking forward to the competitions this year, the Ananda Sukarlan Junior Award Piano Competition in July, and the "Tembang Puitik Ananda Sukarlan" Vocal Competition in September. May the force be with you!