Indonesian Music Maestro Who Represents The Harmony of National Life

Baca Juga

Ismail Marzuki (Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons)

FEMUSINDO.com - Of the many composers, Ismail Marzuki is known as one of the Indonesian music maestros who represents the harmony of national life.

Ismail Marzuki, who is also a National Hero, is a composer who has an important role in the development of Indonesian music.

The songs he created throughout the 1930s to 1950s are considered to have a strong character that combines romanticism and nationalism.

Ismail Marzuki was born on May 11, 1914 in Kampung Kwitang, precisely in the Senen sub-district, Central Jakarta area.

Ismail's musical talent, who was born and raised in a Betawi family, has been prominent since childhood, so he pursued his career in the field of music.

He made his debut in music at the age of 17. In 1931, Ismail first managed to compose the song "O Sarinah".

In 1936, he joined the Lief Java music orchestra as a guitarist, saxophone, and harmonium pump player.

During the Japanese occupation, Ismail Marzuki was active in the radio orchestra at Hozo Kanri Keyku Japanese Military Radio.

When the Japanese occupation ended, Ismail Marzuki continued his music broadcasts on RRI (Radio Republik Indonesia).

Furthermore, when RRI was again controlled by the Dutch in 1947, Ismail Marzuki, who did not want to cooperate with the Dutch, decided to leave RRI.

He only returned to work on the radio after RRI was successfully taken over. He then had the honor of becoming the leader of the Jakarta Studio Orchestra.

In the 1955 Election, Ismail Marzuki created the song General Election and it was first heard in the Election.

Ismail Marzuki died at his residence, Tanah Abang area, Central Jakarta, May 25 1958 at the age of 44 due to suffering from lung disease.

During his career, he has created many songs, such as Aryati, Gugur Bunga, Melati di Tapal Batas (1947), Wanita, Rayuan Pulau Kelapa and Pasangan Mata Bola (1946).

Then, South Bandung at Night (1948), Keroncong Serenata, Ibu Pertiwi, Kasim Baba, Halo, Halo Bandung, Bandaneira, Lenggang Bandung, Juwita Malam, Rindu Lukisan and others. (*)