Wonderful Music Under Bandung Blue Sky

Open Air Classic in Bandung Parahyangan Classical Music Festival

7 June2014

Kota Baru Parahyangan

I thought this was only happened in Europe, sitting on the grass, open air area and classical music.  The 2nd Parahyangan Classical Music Festival made it happen here in Bandung, listen to the gentle air sound of piano, and have reverie with Angklung. 

On 7 June 2014 in Kota Baru Parahyangan Padalarang, this event was take placed. I was there at 2 o'clock, there was food stall. There is variety of food, the warteg style and soto kudus there was good. Across the food stall there was an exhibition hall, bookstore, music education and musical instrument was there. Not very intrested if you don't look any of them, I think it would be better if music clinic were there.

The Garden around Bale Pare

Inside the Bale Pare, there is two stage which is D'Plaza and Amphithetre. Both of them are outside, where have the green tree and garden. D'Plaza surrounded by cafe and also garden. This Plaza has stage and small oval seat. On the both side there is a seat and table for whoever eats in cafe. There is Cascade Trio playing violin, cello and piano. They play wonderful Mozart and Saint-Saens. I was a little bit tired and sleepy, in this classical concert I can lay down and relax while listening to the music. When the play the piece of Tango by Argentinian Composer of Piazzola was when the fun begin. The four seasons of Buenos Aires evokes Vivaldi Four Seasons to mind, but wait Buenos Aires in the southern hemisphere. emember, when it is summer in Vivaldi’s Venice, it is winter in Piazzolla’s Buenos Aires. So listen closely and you will hear bits of Vivaldi’s Summer worked into Winter here. And at the end of Spring... well, you can’t miss the allusion.

Later in the Amphitheater Liza Ferchman playing violin and Stephan Chirstian Rahm playing piano. The 29 year old violinist is already considered of of the most signifcant artist of our time. A highlight last year was a live televised solo performance during Uitmakt for 20,000 listener. Stephen Rahm, the German pianist has already on stages in Berlin, Seoul and Tokyo. This amphitheater surround only by nature. This stage is bigger than d'plaza and have some Roman style of stage. The soft piano and sad sound of violin blend in the sound of bird, how wonderful that was. They play Biber, Beethoven Debussy, Chausson and my strong impression was Maurice Revel. Tziagane was the name of the song, which has gypsy meaning. Ravel tzigane is kind of popular f musical exoticism, is has free on movement. The up and down violin song give strong impression, strong, free spirited and very moving piece. I was shivering during the show, this was a great song.

After the break I move back again to D'Plaza. This time, we have the Parahyangan Style of Classic Music. Guided by Saung Angklung Udjo, for the first time we had great interaction. The audience getting more and more crowded which almost 300 people here. We were gave Angklung with different notes, and Udjo taught us the hand sign and when we played. Angklung is a collective easy to play instrument. This wooden music player needs only 1 minute to play and with everyone we can play it together. This Sundanese culture I had been playing since my school time, very lovely nostalgic music. Later Udjo and the team demonstrated the vibe of Angklung. How complex this music can be was amazing. 

I playing the angklung

Later the Gala Concert in Amphitheater by Prof. Gerd Muller-Lorenz. In the night with full orchestra this was the perfect ending. Liza Ferchman, Stephen Rahm, and Eric Awuy was also take part in this orchestra. I would recommend all Bandung people not to miss this in next year festival, hope this became regular music festival in Bandung.

Gala Concert