When you think of Indonesia, the spicy scents of the oriental kitchen probably come to mind. But perhaps also wajang puppets, chirping monkeys swinging through the jungle, or a volcano that could erupt at any moment. Or the traditional dances in beautiful clothing. But perhaps also the music style of the gamelan? Gamelan music – derived from the Javanese word ‘gamel’ which means to hit or hammer – is deeply rooted in the mythology, mysticism and belief systems of Indonesia. 

Various composers were inspired by the gamelan, the rich folk culture and the beautiful nature of the islands. For example, the virtuoso pianist Godowsky was so enchanted during his concert tour in Java in 1925 that he later wrote his iconic Java Suite. And a century later, the Frenchwoman Decruck sketched her impressions of the island for saxophone and piano. 

There are several composers who were born and raised in the Dutch East Indies. The route the other way around was also made to study or work from Indonesia in the Netherlands.

Today’s composers and artists take us on a fascinating journey to the classical music of the former Dutch East Indies and present-day Indonesia. We are not only treated to cross-pollinations with beautiful music and dance, but also to a few Indonesian delicacies to complete the party.

Program:

Tempo Doeloe – Bahasa for times gone by

Theo Smit Sibinga – Serenade

Leopold Godowsky – From the Java suite

Henk Badings – La Malinconia

Paul Seelig – Kupu-Kupu and Pisang Mas

Theo Smit Sibinga – Song based on a text by the Javanese poet Noto Soeroto

Fernande Decruck – Île des Java

Constant van de Wall – Kaluk toean djalan dahoeloe

• Intermission – 

Paul Seelig – Chansons Javanaises op. 19

Rudolf Escher – Due voci

Ananda Sukarlan – Ketika kau entah dimana

B. VD Sigtenhorst Meyer – Tomorrow in den Tenger

Maarten Bauer – Lanskap Berkabut

Fero Aldiansya – Puteri 1000 Candi

Joey Roukens – Riffs, for saxophone, cello and piano (2025, arr. J. Roukens)

Mohammad Embut – Srikandi