The best thing about the Indonesian arts scene is the fusion between East and West that inevitably occurs. Such is the case with Hotel Tugu Bali's newest presentation: Ananda Sukarlan, a talented young Indonesian pianist, takes the stage to perform his latest work Rhapsody of the Archipelago (Rapsodia Nusantara), a work of love for his native country.
The Rapsodia adapts traditional Indonesian folktunes and places them in a Western classical context. Sukarlan was inspired by Franz Liszt's incorporation of traditional Hungarian folk tunes into his Hungarian Rhapsodies.
"Why do we Indonesians always end our concerts with Hungarian Rhapsodies?" asks Sukarlan rhetorically. "Why don't we make our OWN Rhapsodies?"
The result is the Rapsodia - a series of Indonesian virtuosic piano works that use Indonesian folktunes as a conceptual foundation. Sukarlan points out that he is only standing on the shoulders of giants: Mozart, Sweelinck, and Bartok all created symphonic works inspired by folk music.
Ananda Sukarlan is a summa cum laude graduate from the Royal Conservatory of Den Haag, and has been the recipient of many music awards such as the Nadia Boulanger Award of Orleans. Currently based in Spain, Sukarlan has performed in many overseas festivals at Berlin, Rotterdam, Spain, and Paris, and he's made several appearances on European radio and TV shows.
Sukarlan is the only Indonesian listed in 2000 Outstanding Musicians of the 20th century" and The International Who's Who in Music. To date, he has recorded 14 CDs including the complete piano works of Santiago Lanchares, David del Puerto, Jesus Rueda, Toru Takemitsu as well as works by Peter Sculthorpe, Amir Pasaribu, Trisutji Kamal, Theo Loevendie, and his own works.
Rhapsody of the Archipelago takes place at Bale Agung Hall at Hotel Tugu Bali at Jl. Pantai Batu Bolong, Canggu Beach, Bali, Indonesia on 17 August 2010, at 7:30pm. Tickets go for IDR 400.000++ per person, including dinner and one cocktail. RSVP Irma/Dewi at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call +62 361-731701.