Ton de Leeuw, is a foreign name for Surabaya people. Same can be said for Erik Satie. But Surabaya people surely don't want to be thought as people who only know about Mozart,  Beethoven or Chopin !

Therefore, it is unexpected that Natalia - a young pianist from Surabaya - will play music that sounds strange for our ears.

Why strange? Modern composers only like the strange sounds, therefore they are hard to be understood and liked.

But, aren't all the great people always advance ahead of its era? That's why they sound weird, even not making sense. But, only thanks to these eccentric people that we can now enjoy electricity, lamp, wireless phone free from cables and plugs. So goes with Liszt and Debussy that freed us from music that are bounded around I-IV-V chords.

Ton de Leeuw (Dutch composer 1926-1996), made a few simple variations of French children songs. With simple ways, we are invited to trace relationship between theme and variations, so behind what seems to be a strange sound, we will find a fun and cool logic. Surabaya Music Meet-up is a platform for music lovers to share experience and knowledge in a friendly ambiance. Held every month since 1957 and open for everyone.

Aside from Ton de Leeuw variations of children songs, Natalia will also present 3 Gymnopedies – Erik Satie.

The music of Erik Satie (French composer 1866- 1925) has a different strangeness compared to de Leeuw. De Leeuw's music feels intelligent and complicated, while Satie's music feels naive and ridiculous due to its 'simplicity'.

This strange and ridiculous presentation of music holds a secret that is much admired by Debussy. Both are friends, equal but from a different world. Debussy is weird but respected in the world of artists and intellectuals. Satie is mysterious, lived poorly and mostly ignored.

Three Gymnopedy that will be played by Natalia, the title reminds us of the Ancient Greek festival and dance. The same dance also exists in Javanese dance tradition, BEDHAYA KETAWANG, that is until now performed in certain ceremonies in Surakarta palace.Slamet A.Sjukur.

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