My Article about Duo 590 published at The Jakarta Post, 10 August

An Intent of "Violation" to Jakarta Music Lovers, by Ananda Sukarlan, composer & pianist (this title is changed in the printed version into : Duo 590 Dazzles Jakarta Music Lovers) .......................................................................................................................................... The viola might not be a popular instrument in Indonesia, but a preview in an online newspaper might be the booster for the public's enthusiasm for violist Adam Cordle's recent concerts in Jakarta. The article was cleverly titled "The handsome American violist will perform in Jakarta", and most probably it was the mixture of the word "handsome" and the mystery of the viola that attracted the audience. And they were not disappointed at all, not only by his physical appearance, but even more by his high musicianship and virtuosity. The viola is slightly larger than a violin and has a lower sound. It serves as a "bridge" between the violin and the cello in chamber music, and for centuries it was considered as such, merely a filling instrument. It wasn't until the 20th century that it earned the stature it deserves, as an instrument with a poignant, warm and mellow sound. Thanks to composers such as Paul Hindemith, William Walton, Toru Takemitsu and Alfred Schnittke it became popular through their works for solo viola and orchestra. .......................................................................................................................................... This young violist who has performed throughout North America and Europe with different partners, chamber groups and orchestras is at the moment in Jakarta and has performed with his duo partner who equally impressed the audience, Indonesian pianist Edith Widayani, as Duo 590. They performed 2 concerts last week in Jakarta and will perform again this weekend. On August 2nd they performed at the Institut Francais d'Indonesie (IFI), with a program of exclusively French Women Composers of the early 20th century: Nadia Boulanger, Fernande Decruck and Marcelle Soulage. The next day they did a "lighter" program, for an afternoon of High Tea at the Writers Bar, Raffles Hotel. .......................................................................................................................................... But first the "590" needs an explanation. 590 is the code for the courses that Eastman School of Music doctoral students take as part of their curriculum. Adam and Edith met in one of these courses in their first semester of graduate study. Also, one of the main interstates in Rochester—where Eastman is located—is also named 590. So, Duo 590 references both how and where they were founded. This year, both musicians have earned their Doctorate degrees on Music from that prestigious institution. .......................................................................................................................................... From the French women's program at IFI, Nadia Boulanger was the only name that is known by most of the Jakarta audience. Her work played was the "Three Pieces for Cello & Piano" and it was Cordle's initiative to play it on an instrument one octave higher -- and it worked so well. But it was Marcelle Soulage's Sonata in A minor, op. 25 that convinced the audience as a forgotten (or ignored?) great work. Soulage (1894-1970) composed prolifically, sometimes writing under the pseudonym Marc Sauval but then was almost totally forgotten after her death. Many of her works remained unrecorded, and in fact a YouTube post of this mentioned Sonata is only available by Duo 590. Listening to this 4-movement work really aroused the audience's curiosity to discover more works by this fabulous composer, and this dazzling Duo 590 should definitely make a CD recording of this forgotten musical gem. .......................................................................................................................................... The concert at Raffles Hotel hit a lighter note. The audience was more relaxed in a much more intimate setting at the Writers Bar, and they even conversed with the musicians. This time "590" performed shorter and "easier listening" works by a.o. Gabriel Faure, Franz Liszt, two movements of the Soulage Sonata (on the request of the audience who grew to love the piece the day before) and the writer's Someone's Stolen Her Heart (and I found it) written during my early conservatory days and --as the title implies-- evoking a not-meant-to-be teenage crush. .......................................................................................................................................... Adam Cordle will perform again, this time as a soloist with a chamber orchestra, on Sunday, August 12th in Soehanna Hall (The Energy Building, SCBD) at 3 p.m, giving the World Premiere of the writer's new work, "Sebuah Simfoni Tentang Perempuan" (A Symphony on Women). This 20-minute (Chamber-) Symphony is commissioned by the former RI President, B.J. Habibie (through the Habibie-Ainun Foundation) to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Reformation in Indonesia, focusing the merits and contribution of women on this aspect. The work is written for solo viola, narrator and 8 instruments. The narration is written by prominent writer Putu Fajar Arcana and will be read by actress Maryam Supraba. Before the new work is performed, Adam will show his prowess by performing my virtuosic works for viola and piano, again with Edith Widayani.