Erwin Gutawa debuts new ‘Hari Merdeka’ arrangement on TVRI
It blends angklung with vocals from 10 musicians across generations and was released on YouTube Sunday night.
Composer Erwin Gutawa launched a new arrangement of the struggle song “Hari Merdeka” by Husein Mutahar in a live broadcast on TVRI Nasional on Sunday night, ahead of the 81st anniversary of RI independence. The project, backed by the Kementerian Kebudayaan, blends the traditional bamboo instrument angklung through a collaboration with Manshur Praditya and features vocals from musicians across generations. They include Shabrina Leanor, Ardhito Pramono, Novia Bachmid, Ruth Sahanaya, Harvey Malaihollo, Titik Hamzah, Vina Panduwinata, Judika, Ahmad Albar, and Rita Butar Butar. Erwin kept the song’s original 1946 rhythm so its march spirit and historical context would remain intact. The new arrangement video also aired on the YouTube channels of Kementerian Kebudayaan and Indonesiana TV.