Sujeeva’s ‘Poetry of the Piano’ for Zonta
View(s):Whether it is performing on a prestigious platform in a major city, conducting a master class in piano, founding ‘rush hour classics’ in San Francisco, performing to standing ovations on luxury cruise liners or adjudicating a music competition, concert pianist and Steinway artiste Sujeeva Hapugalle exudes passion and artistry. Her performances have received several accolades from prestigious organizations such as the Beethoven Society of Europe and Kensington Post, London.
Zonta Club 11 of Colombo once again partners with Sujeeva Hapugalle to bring music lovers an enchanting programme of musical poetry on Friday, March 14 at the Lionel Wendt Theatre. Zonta 11 plans to use the entire proceeds from the evening for their Safe Water Project.
Sujeeva Hapugalle
Sujeeva’s partnership with Zonta Club 11 of Colombo in their fundraising efforts seems to be an ideal match. Sujeeva waives all professional and performance fees for this concert, because she so empathises with the work of Zonta Club 11 of Colombo. So those who will attend this magical concert on the 14th of March will themselves be contributing to help raise funds to deal with the debilitating effects of unsafe water in villages of the North Central Province in Sri Lanka.
Sujeeva’s performance in Colombo in March includes a selection of favourites by Mozart and Chopin and Rachmaninov, Sonata No 3 by Prokofiev, Jazz Sonatia by Kasputin, Gershwin’s I’ve Got Rhythm and Liszt’s rousing Hungarian Rhapsody.
Speaking about her selection of works to perform, Sujeeva says:
“Chopin was such an introvert in real life. He poured it ‘all’ into his musical dialogue . . . so it evokes that extra edge of intensity or personal indulgence when one performs. He was such a perfectionist in creating art forms poetically / operatically/ and even in folklore national dance forms. There is a wonderful sense of fun in his opulent Grand Waltz Brillantes.”
“The Latin American works are also such fun. I’ve made a teasing group of American contemporary miniature works, including much diversity – even ragtime. And then the Russian Rep is close to my heart in rich passionate splendour, especially after our recent visit to St Petersburg that spoke to my heart with the visual depth of history, expansive romantic contours, opulence and yearning passion …”.
Sujeeva’s performances have earned rave reviews abroad. “Sujeeva Hapugalle presented a very demanding programme which she performed with great insight into the music, with profound understanding of the stylistic complexities and with rare artistry . Here is a pianist of rare calibre,” said a reviewer from the Beethoven Society of Europe.
Sujeeva also collaborates with flautist Surekha Amerasinghe, well known and well loved by Colombo music audiences, to play Bizet’s Carmen Fantasy for flute and piano at the concert.
Box Plan for this concert will open on March 4 at the Lionel Wendt.