In January, you auditioned for Friends of Song. What made auditioning appealing and made you decide to apply?
‘It was very simple: we came across a brochure at our conservatoire. That gave us the idea to apply. Since we have been working on songs for the past two years, this was the opportunity to find more audience.’
You recently won three prizes at the International Vocal Competition ‘s-Hertogenbosch. What does that mean for you?
‘Our intention was to share work that we hold dear, and we were already grateful to have such a platform to present it. We were extremely happy with how the judges responded to our message. So it is a very nice feeling to finish such a big competition like this with this outcome.’
You performed during Theatre in Song the programme Keroncong Anemoia which you also perform at Friends of Song. How did you come up with the idea of combining traditional, Indonesian songs with Western art songs?
‘Old Keroncong recordings gave us a nostalgic feeling about a period we did not experience, which is also the definition of “anemoia”. We find universal values in songs: communication, expression, connection. In “Keroncong” we find the song, and vice versa, even if it sounds strange at first sight. Moreover, we have practised different musical genres and art disciplines, which are close to our artistic ambitions. Therefore, it was natural for us to imagine a setting where songs in different styles are intertwined.’
Apollon also plays instruments other than piano in that programme, Madeline does not sing exclusively. Does that diversity offer you as musicians other opportunities for expression?
‘Anyone can very easily see and feel the difference between a piano and a ukulele. But for us, the instruments not only have a different “timbre” but also represent different moods, genres and cultures. In the Keroncong parts, Madeline is also an instrumentalist. It gives a different sense of artistic control.’
After a recital, the audience goes home. What do you hope they take with them?
‘Each person in the audience is an individual with their own experiences. So we cannot expect our message to be understood the same way by everyone. What connects in a performance is “the event”: the combination of feelings, thoughts, reactions, that emerge in everyone. We sincerely strive to present song as an art form that is close to the audience and can touch, question and challenge them.’
What does Friends of the Song have to offer young musicians like you?
‘Friends of the Song is a platform, a medium for us to experiment in front of an audience that loves the art form. Apart from that, it offers us the first steps in building our career as a young song duo.’
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