Musicmatters goes one notch higher with exciting line up
Dr. Sumudi Suraweera is in between rehearsals and a meeting with the OIC at Vihara Mahadevi Park when he stops by for a quick interview. In the run-up to the third edition of the Musicmatters Festival, things are likely to get busier still for its festival director. The process began in January with reaching out to an exciting new set of performers who will, hopefully, cement the young festival’s reputation for eclectic, fine music that leads its listeners far off the beaten path.
The festival has grown this year, with more overseas acts, a denser programme and exciting new array of partners. Though still very much in the fledgling state, Sumudi is pleased to report he sees a dedicated audience turning up not just for the event but to support interesting artists across the city. “This year, I feel like we’ve taken a big leap forward,” he says, attributing recent successes to a “snowballing effect.”
Sumudi Suraweera
As in previous years, several of the performers hail from Musicmatters (the school Sumudi founded along with pianist Eshantha Joseph Peiris), with in house bands likely to make a strong showing at multiple festival venues. The Chamber Music Society of Colombo directed by Lakshman J. de Saram will also return to the festival stage. The theme they’ll all be working around is the title of Eshantha’s recently released album: Global Rhythms Reimagined. As an accomplished drummer himself, Sumudi is excited in particular by the number of artists who will be doing interesting things with percussion. Audiences can expect exciting things from the likes of Percussion duo Darren Moore and Suresh Vaidyanathan, Simon Barker and Dan Weiss (the latter is particularly well known for how he has taken the rhythms of the tabla and adapted them for a western drum set).
Some performers, such as the New Zealand based guitarist Tyson Smith, will only start looking for a backup band when they arrive here providing local musicians an exciting opportunity to collaborate with artists of an international calibre. The Humouresque Icons (New Zealand), a piano and saxophone duo consisting of Jeff Henderson and Hermione Johnson promise some energetic improvisations. One of the highlights will likely be the world premiere of ‘Echo from an Empty Creek’ by the Australian group Chiri, a cross-cultural ensemble with Korean singer Baeil Dong and Australian master musician Simon Barker (drums) and Scott Tinkler (trumpet).
“The standard of the musicians is amazing,” says Sumudi. “I expect I’m going to have my jaw dropped. These are all people that are completely inspiring musicians and human beings who’ve dedicated their lives to what they’re doing.
For Sumudi and Eshantha, it’s a sign of the festival’s youth that it still runs on personal connections and goodwill. Rustling up sponsors is a challenge but Sumudi knows they’re in here for the long haul – he’s happy to put in the time needed to establish themselves.
It’s the same patience that’s allowing Musicmatters to find its feet. Having thrown open its doors in 2010, the school has since attracted hundreds of students. This year is an important one for more than one reason – the school deployed its own curriculum (designed in consultation with Hugh Stevenson, a trusted international music educator, musician and researcher) as well as a new system that relies on enrolment by the term rather than on a monthly basis. Students will be divided into 5 levels, with each level demanding a different set of skills.Sumudi expects the curriculum will continue to evolve, but the foundation has been laid for the next few years. “It’s going to be a constant process of refining.”
Another big change this year will come as the school does without Eshantha – the pianist is taking a sabbatical beginning this September as he begins to pursue a doctorate in Canada. While they’ll miss him, the school is planning to have two pianists fly down to take his place across the different terms. Sumudi sees this as a chance not only to inject some fresh blood into the system but also to do something which choosing to settle in Sri Lanka often deprives musicians of – interesting new people to collaborate with. “That’s one of the biggest challenges for us being here, finding ways to keep interacting with the outside world,” he says. “The festival is really the height of that.”
The Musicmatters Festival is on from August 5 – 9. Tickets for the Musicmatters Festival Main Concert, priced at Rs 1000, can now be purchased through TicketsLK, Goethe Institut, British Council, Yamaha and Musicmatters. For more information about other concerts of the festival, please visit musicmatterssrilanka.com/festival.php or call 0773018690.
The main festival partners are the Goethe Institut, British Council, American Center and the Australian High Commission of Colombo. Electronic media sponsors are TNL and Lite FM. Online Partner is Yamu. Print media sponsors are the Sunday Times, Daily Mirror and Lankadeepa. Festival sponsors are Runeware Audiovisual and Integrated Solutions, Finagle Bread Bakers, SriLankan Airlines, Yamaha Music Centre and Fairway Holdings.