Arts
Sitting on beanbags listening to Mozart and more
View(s):Calling themselves Harmonic Conspiracies, a group of musicians have banded together to break stereotyped notions that young people associate with classical music
When a group of young musicians felt the need to make classical music more accessible to a wider audience particularly young people, Harmonic Conspiracies was born.They explain that their main objective is to be able to give the listener an opportunity to enjoy this music in an informal setting (sitting on a beanbag, dressed in casual clothes), breaking the barrier between audience and performer, so that the audience can connect on a more intimate level with the performer. “We want to draw in a new audience base for this genre of music by giving them an opportunity to experience it in a setting that is comfortable and familiar,” said Nilupul Silva, one of the founder members of the group.
“The idea came about when we were rehearsing for another concert. Amidst a conversation, we realized that classical music has been stereotyped with unnecessary (and false) tag lines such as boring, for the elderly, for the elite, too serious, difficult to follow etc.
“We also realized that nothing is being done to address this issue especially in Sri Lanka. Hence, as youth of the classical music scene we decided to take a step towards changing the prevailing perception of classical music by making it more accessible to everyone by taking it outside the traditional norm of performing in large concert halls dressed in black.”
Harmonic Conspiracies’ next appearance will be on April 30 at 6 p.m. at the Royal Nelung Arts Centre, 81, Hyde Corner, Colombo 2.
Performers include Sulara Nanayakkara, Johann Peiris, Nilupul Silva, Thivanthi Perera, Zainamb Wahid, Harin Amrithanathan, Saranga Cooray and Rushane Fernando.
The programme will also feature the Cantando cello ensemble led by Dushyanthi Perera and some of Colombo’s favourite voices Melissa Pereira, Amandhi Caldera and Sylvanna Fernando.
“We’ll be introducing a bigger diversity to the programme and performers by bringing in repertoire with classical guitar and some well loved voices,” Nilupul explains.
The programme will consist of chamber groups including violin, cello, flute, guitar, keyboard and vocals performing exciting pieces from the classical repertoire such as the Mozart flute quartet in D major, Teleman trio in A minor, and fun lighter selections from the 70s and Disney medleys.
Their first concert had been a success and they hope to repeat the same in the second. “The response far exceeded our expectation. The feedback was extremely positive and one of the highlights for us was the presence of children who were sitting on beanbags, attentive to the whole programme from start to finish,” Nilupul added.
Harmonic Conspiracies hopes to hold concerts every four months “until we make a difference in how people (especially the youth) associate and perceive classical music and give across the message that classical music is a genre that has unimaginable depth but is easy to understand and listen to.”
Even though classical music is now associated with formal settings in concert halls this was not always the case, Nilupul adds. In 19th century Europe notable artistic and literary figures gathered to listen to salon music and discuss the arts and philosophy. Even the popularity of German Lied can be traced to Hausmusik (Music at Home) movements which emerged with the amateur music circles.
Tickets priced at Rs. 800 will be available at the entrance. For more, see also the Harmonic Conspiracies Facebook pages.