VIVAnews - Keroncong tune Bengawan Solo, which was written during the pre-independence days by Gesang, is still apparently popular, gaining fans not only from Indonesia, but also other countries.
As a result, Gesang has kept earning high amount of royalty fees in his old days.
PT Penerbit Karya Musik Pertiwi, who works on Gesang’s royalty, said the gross amount of the fees has reached Rp 34 million. The company’s General Manager Andi Hutadjulu said Gesang’s songs were fancied in countries like Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands and Singapore.
In those countries, Bengawan Solo and Jembatan Merah are the most popular. “Gesang has earned about Rp 21,788,852 between July and December. This is the net royalty after being deducted by taxes and operational costs,” Hutadjulu said at the event of Royalty Distribution to Gesang, Kusbini’s heirs and WR Supratman in Solo.
Titi Asih Ksvara, Kusbini’s daughter, received Rp 16,746,649 worth of royalty fee out of Rp 28,612,747 gross royalty.
“The songs that earn the royalty include Keroncong Moresko and Padamu Negeri, which were used on the movie Alangkah Lucunya Negeriku and Nexian commercial,” Hutadjulu said.
Meanwhile, the writer of national anthem Indonesia Raya, WR Supratman also received royalty from the song Ibu Kartini. Supratman’s grandson, Budi Hari, accepted the fee.
The event was also attended by Gesang, who extended his gratitude to the publisher. “ I would like to say thank you for the royalty fee,” Gesang said, choking up due to his current health issue.
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Laporan: Fajar Sodiq | Solo
Translated by: Nataya Ermanti
