UNITING TRADITIONS

Blending cultures and respect for diversity were apparent from the inception of the orchestra.  Co-Artistic Directors Robert Nordling and Michael Hall serve as facilitators and consultants in this ambitious endeavor, helping to develop a musical institution in a uniquely Indonesian way. The Western practices of blind auditions and annual contracts for musicians were new to Indonesian orchestras. In Frans Sartono’s article about the inaugural concert of the orchestra he noticed how, “traditional instruments such as [the kentongan and angklung] are given a special place alongside Western instruments in the Bandung Philharmonic.” Fusing these sounds and traditions has also been made possible by the aggressive commissioning of new works.  

It is the commitment of the artistic directors to program at least one new Indonesian work on each concert. In just three seasons, the orchestra will have commissioned 12 new works, 11 by Indonesian composers and two in collaboration with American orchestras: Baroque on Beaver Island Festival and the Lake Forest Civic Orchestra. Fostering Indonesian composers and bringing their new works to life, not just in Indonesia, but also in the U.S., is just another important component to human growth and understanding between peoples.