Lovers of alike are in for an enchanting indulgence when 'An Evening of Classical Music', a classic and the contemporary music concert, will be held on October 14 at the Atrium Lobby of the Cinnamon Grand at 6.30 pm.

The special evening will feature a trio of world renowned artistes; Kimihiko Akiyama, Keiko Kobayashi and Mayumi Mori, with a variety of works showcasing their individual talents. The evening's repertoire will feature Tchaikovsky's Dance of the Reed-Flutes, Waltz of the Flowers from "Nutcracker Suite" and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Memory from 'Cats' and other popular interludes from the Masters of Classics.
This will also be a truly rare and thrilling experience for the audience, as this is the first time that Colombo's classical enthusiasts will see and hear, a trio accompanied by a harpist. The harp is an unorthodox instrument, and a soloist of the calibre of Mayumi Mori demonstrating her artistry in Sri Lanka is a rare treat indeed! Born in Japan, Kimihiko Akiyama graduated from the Tokyo College of Music in 1984. As a member of the Saito Kinen Orchestra and the Mito Chamber orchestra with Seiji Ozawa, he has performed in more than 25 cities including the Wiener Festival week, the Firenze Festival and the Carnegie Hall's Concert.

Tokyo- born conductor Keiko Kobayashi, graduated from the Music Department of the Faculty of Education at the University of Yamanashi followed by her Master course in conducting at Senzoku Gakuen College of Music in Tokyo. She has trained under one of the world's greatest conductors, Seiji Ozawa and since her debut, she has conducted the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra (TPO), the Tokyo City Philharmonic Orchestra, the Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra, Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra, Siena Wind Orchestra, and others. Born in Japan, Mayumi Mori studied under Junko Nobata and Atsuko Sugiyama at the Senzoku Gakuen College of Music, where she played the harp with the College Orchestra and Concert Band, including the European tour. After graduating from the Senzoku Gakuen College of Music, she made her debut through the Nippon Harp Association.

Tickets priced at Rs 1000/- are available at the Hotel's Business Centre.

FLUTE and HARP in Concert with the SOSL

Sri Lankan audiences will be in for a unique treat when the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka (SOSL) performs Mozart's concerto for Flute and Harp at the SOSL Premieres Concert on October 18 at Ladies College Auditorium.

This concerto is the only piece of music that Mozart wrote that contains the harp. In the classical period, the harp was still in development, and was not considered a standard orchestral instrument. Therefore, harp and flute were considered an extremely unusual combination.

Mozart composed the concerto with the audience in mind. The piece is essentially in the form of a Sinfonia Concertante (concerto for more than one solo instrument) which was extremely popular in Paris at the time. Mozart composed it in Paris for a French Count and his daughter, and it has a distinctly French style, with a magically interwoven fabric of sound which utilizes both instruments to their fullest.

Kimihiko Akiyama, a renowned Japanese Flautist will combine with Mayumi Mori, a Harpist of repute, to play this beautiful and masterfully written piece of music. Keiko Kobayashi, who trained under Seiji Ozawa, the world famous conductor, will conduct the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka at the Ladies College Hall. The programme will also feature the majestic Beethoven Fifth Symphony and a traditional Japanese piece, Rhapsody for Orchestra by Y Toyama.

Kimihiko Akiyama was born in Japan and has been playing the flute for 24 years since graduating from the Tokyo College of Music in 1984. As a member of the Saito Kinen Orchestra and the Mito Chamber Orchestra with Seiji Ozawa, he has performed many times in 25 cities including the European, American and Chinese tour, the Wiener Festival week, the Firenze Festival as at Carnegie Hall. Philips and Sony Classical Music have released 7 CDs of his music.

Keiko Kobayashi, born in Tokyo, graduated from the Music Department of the Faculty of Education at the University of Yamanashi and obtained her Master course in conducting at the Senzoku Gakuen College of Music in Tokyo. She has studied conducting under the world famous, Seiji Ozawa and other renowned Japanese conductors.

Since her debut, she has conducted the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra (TPO), the Tokyo City Philharmonic Orchestra, the Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra, Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra, Siena Wind Orchestra, and others.

The principal sponsor of the Premieres Concert is Asian Alliance with associate sponsors Cinnamon Grand, Lanka Orix and Toyota.

Tickets are priced at Rs 1000/-, 750/-, 500/-, 300/- and Rs 200/- ( Balcony).