Recorded by Feixiang Choir Jakarta Cherly Susanti, conductor
Sarinande is a traditional Moluccan (Maluku) song about a girl named Sarinande. She cries as if smoke gets in her eyes because she feels uneasy. Cherly dedicated this arrangement for her late brother, who passed away in 2012. He was a volunteer teacher in North Maluku. The intro of this arrangement was inspired by the waves in the Maluku sea Cherly has seen in the documentaries of her late brother. (May 2nd, 2015)
The SATB Voices a capella version of this song is published and distributed by Muziksea LLP. Click here to purchase.
The SSAA Voices a capella version of this song is published and distributed by Tabernacle Women’s Choir. Click here to purchase.
Performed by Feixiang Choir Jakarta Cherly Susanti, conductor Alexandra Katya, soprano
O Ina Ni Keke is a North Sulawesi traditional song written by R. C. Hardjosubroto. This song’s literal meaning was about a mother (“Ina” means mother) who went to Manado city to buy some cakes, but her daughter (“Keke” means daughter) asked for the cakes when it has already finished. Many interprets this song as an unconditional love from a mother to her daughter, but the daughter was too late to realise it. The setting takes place in an empty beach, full of nostalgic feeling. It should be performed with much expression, but it should sounds light and warm with less vibrato at the same time. (Jakarta, February 10th, 2018)
The SSAA Voices a capella version of this song is published by Muziksea LLP. Click here to purchase.
The SA Voices and Piano version of this song is published by Tabernacle Women’s Choir. Click here to purchase.
Recorded by SD Gloria 3 Children Choir Ike Sinandang, conductor
Star Light, Star Bright’s main idea is to imitate the twinkling stars, which represented by the rhythm pattern at the beginning of the song. As it was initially written for primary students, the composer tried to make it as simple as possible by having repetitive patterns, only with different keys and tempo. (Jakarta, April 13th, 2018)
The music score of this song is published and distributed by Muziksea LLP. Clickhere to purchase.
Recorded by Feixiang Choir Jakarta in the 33rd Praga Cantat, 2019 Cherly Susanti, conductor
This song was written during the moslem’s Ramadan month, and it was the second song written by the composer. This song rhythmic pattern and melody was influenced by the unique Ramadan tradition in Indonesia, where people will play rebana and hit the Bedug as a part of their celebration. (Jakarta, June 28th, 2015. Revised on June 8th, 2019)
The music score of this song is published and distributed by Muziksea LLP. Click here to purchase.
Recorded by Paramabira and Quaver Vocal Ensemble Rainier Revireino, conductor
Cahaya Purnama (Moonlight) was inspired by the 15th governor of Jakarta, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, as at the moment this piece was written, has made a lot of changes in Jakarta, where Cherly lives. The first idea of the music was the first three notes, followed by the melody sung by the sopranos. The altos take over the melody, and slowly build up to the Slow Dance part, where everyone is the melody. The Starry Night part is where the bass take the lead and other voices replicates the twinkling stars. Afterwards, the tenors take the lead and finally, the song is concluded with the same harmony with the beginning. (Jakarta, 27 June 2017)
The SATB Voices a capella version of this song is published and distributed by Muziksea LLP. Click here to purchase.
The SA Voices and Piano version of this song is published and distributed by Tabernacle Women’s Choir. Click here to purchase.
Gelap malam t’lah menyapa
Bertahta cah’ya sang purnama
Memupus kerinduan jiwa pada terang
Sang purnama bercahaya dan memukau para insan
Tak rela bila digantikan mentari fajar
Dan bintang menari, memuja rembulan yang bersinar terang
Sang purnama t’lah merasuk hayat dengan rasa cinta
Bintang-bintang berkelip di angkasa
menyerukan pujian pada sang purnama
Sang purnama merajut asa, memadu kasih, menggugah jiwa
Sang purnama ciptakan asa
Cahaya purnama,
Cahayanya penuh cinta
menyalakan pengarapanku.
English translation:
The darkness of night has come
Crowned by the moonlight
Erasing the soul’s longing of light
The moon shines and amazes the people
Not willing to have it replaced by the sun
And the stars are dancing, adoring the bright shining moon
