Eshantha to conduct Concerto in D minor from the piano
View(s):Well-known musician Eshantha Peiris will be directing the first concert of the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka’s 2013 season on Saturday, February 23 from the keyboard.
“On Saturday, February 23, I will be performing as a piano soloist in collaboration with the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka. The music being performed is ‘Concerto in D minor (BWV 1052)’ by J.S. Bach, composed in an era when the concept of the concerto (music featuring a solo instrument accompanied by an orchestra) was still in its infancy. Western orchestras in the 18th century were relatively small, and Baroque music did not require the expressive tempo fluctuations characteristic of later compositional styles. As such, orchestras did not require specialist conductors; music performances were usually directed by a member of the ensemble: usually a violinist or keyboardist,” says Eshantha.
“Following this tradition, I will be leading this performance of the Bach concerto whilst seated at the piano.” For the rest of the concert (featuring excerpts from Handel’s ‘Water Music’ and ‘Music for the Royal Fireworks’, and Mozart’s ‘Jupiter’ Symphony), Eshantha will revert to being a conventional orchestral conductor: standing on a podium and waving a baton.
Historically, the role of the independent conductor became established in the Romantic era, when symphony orchestras became larger, and the music became more subject to emotion-driven speed changes. And it was around the late 19th century (when performance styles in Europe became more diverse) that the conductor’s role developed into one of an interpreter, imposing a particular view of how the performance should sound, says Eshantha.
The Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka performs on modern acoustic instruments, but as conductor for this concert, the approach I have consciously adopted is one which is informed by how the music for Bach, Handel and Mozart may have sounded in its original context. And while the actual sound of the original baroque instruments will not be replicated here, I hope that our playing of musical phrases in a ‘speech-like’ manner (rather than ‘sung’) will help the music be communicated to our listeners in a way that is both direct and elegant, he adds.
The concert will take place at the Ladies’ College Hall at 7 p.m. and is sponsored by Mohan Tissanayagam. It is co- sponsored by the Commercial Bank, with electronic media sponsors YES FM & MTV Sports and Creative Partner Lowe LDB.
Tickets are available from the Lionel Wendt Theatre office and at the door.
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