Freeware Alternative to Nero Burner: CDBurnerXP

Next on my list is Nero. It is a very powerful program, but recently just got too big and too much for me. An installation of Nero takes like 250+ MB, and gives me in addition to the CD burning program: an encoder, a photo album organizer, a media player, a CD jewel cover designer, a backup/restore software, and many more things.

But I only use the CD burning so…

I switched to CDBurnerXP. Small, less than 3 MB. And gives me what I need:

• CD burning program
• Able to saves the compilation for later reuse
• Multisession
• Creates CD/DVD data, CD audio, and video DVD
• CD copy – to CD, to ISO image
• Reads/writes ISO image, and converts Nero NRG into ISO image

So, proceed to uninstall the trial version of Nero 8… (it was a big download, 150+ MB)

CD: Nial Djuliarso at Julliard

Another interesting CD would be this one. Nial is a Berklee graduated young (born in 1981!) Indonesian jazz pianist who’s currently studying at Julliard. His trio played 10 songs, including “My Favorite Things”, “Spain”, Benoit’s “Kei Song”, “Windmills of Your Mind” (!), Indonesian “Juwita Malam” and two original compositions “Moscow Morning” and “This One’s For You”.

I am not a professional music reviewer, but I have my own criteria when judging a performance or composition. First there should be the technical mastery – virtuoso: no off tunes, no off keys, and clean. Then the intellectual sophistication – complexity: every song, even a simple one, should employ some complex, unique feature – a signature; like a certain chord progression that is intellectually challenging. Finally, the music should be emotionally moving – deliver the correct mood…

I found Nial is doing just great in these categories.

Executive producer of this CD is Gita Wirjawan of Omega Pacific Production. There’s an entry at Equinox DMD podcast about this Pak Gita. (He’s an investment banker with a serious music passion).

CD: Simfoni Negeriku

I was browsing through my CD collection, looking for CD’s that I have encoded into MP4 or ALAC. And I found this rare piece from year 2000. I wonder how many of you guys have this CD: Addie MS Simfoni Negeriku. A rare orchestra performance of Indonesian’s national anthem and other patriotic songs.

From Twilite Orchestra (Addie’s orchestra) website:

Simfoni Negeriku is an album of Indonesian national songs from the era of struggle for independence. This album was intended to promote and preserve the values of these Indonesian national songs among today’s generations.

The recording was made in a recording studio in Australia, in cooperation with the Victorian Philharmonic Orchestra. In the album you will hear various compositions by Wage Rudolf Supratman, R. Kusbini, Alfred Simandjuntak, Hs. Mutahar, Ibu Soed, Ismail Marzuki, Sudharnoto performed by Rita Effendy, Agus Wisman and the Twilite Chorus. This also is a special recording of the Indonesian anthem Indonesia Raya in its original orchestration by Jos Cleber.

Program: Indonesia Raya (W.R. Supratman), Bagimu Neg’ri (R. Kusbini), Bangun Pemudi Pemuda (A. Simandjuntak), Hari Merdeka (Hs. Mutahar), Syukur (Hs. Mutahar), Tanah Airku (Ibu Soed), Indonesia Pusaka (Ismail Marzuki), Mars Pancasila (Sudharnoto), Rayuan Pulau Kelapa (Ismail Marzuki), and Berkibarlah Benderaku (Ibu Soed).

Beautiful composition and arrangement… so next time you need good soundtrack for 17 Agustus-an, you know whom to call…