Amsterdam. Jakarta Concert Orchestra performed a 90-minute concert featuring Indonesian national and regional songs in newly arranged symphonic form at the Grote Zaal of Het Concertgebouw on Wednesday.

Het Concertgebouw is regarded as one of the world’s most prestigious classical music venues and is widely recognized for having some of the finest acoustics globally.

Young Indonesian pianist James Lai, a frequent winner of domestic and international piano competitions, joined the orchestra to perform nine variations on Ismail Marzuki’s song Sepasang Mata Bola.

The concert also featured a piano concerto lasting more than 20 minutes, composed by Yazeed Djamin, before an audience of around 1,200 people.

Tenor Farman Purnama, mezzo-soprano Valentina Aman, and 11-year-old violinist Raelene Pramana moved many members of the Indonesian diaspora in attendance during their performance of Indonesia Pusaka, accompanied by the Batavia Madrigal Singers.

Raelene, who has Indonesian-Dutch heritage, recently won a violin competition in the Netherlands.

“It was a great source of pride to witness the Symphony of the Archipelago concert presented by Avip Priatna and colleagues, because this is the first time an orchestra from Indonesia has performed at Concertgebouw. Hopefully, events like this will help Dutch audiences become more familiar with Indonesian works, which are no less beautiful than the European repertoire,” said Indonesian Ambassador to The Hague Amrih Jinangkung.

Avip, who leads the orchestra, said he hopes the European tour will encourage professional orchestras abroad to take an interest in and perform Indonesian compositions.

He said Het Concertgebouw was deliberately chosen for its renowned acoustics, rich history, and status as a venue where many legendary composers and conductors have performed.

Works by Indonesian composers featured in the program included Rampak Melayu by Arya Pugala Kitti and Overture Fatahillah by Fero Aldiansya Stefanus.

The orchestra also performed arrangements of Indonesian regional songs such as Tak Tong Tong, Sik Sik Sibatumanikam, Benggong, and Tokecang.

“I did not expect the Symphony of the Archipelago concert to be so exciting. I felt proud to see the audience give such warm appreciation,” said Anggita Abdi, an Indonesian professional based in Amsterdam.

The orchestra will continue its tour in Basel as part of celebrations marking 75 years of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Switzerland.

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