200 voices and more in harmony at the Cathedral
Organist Dr. Jonathan Clarke
On July 29, the Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour will be filled with music and the voices of 200 singers as the De Lanerolle Brothers, with the guidance of the Bishop of Colombo present, “The Church’s One Foundation”. Music lovers may recall the last time the Cathedral’s stone walls vibrated with such volume and harmony – back in 2011 with a similar joint school choir.
Come Saturday evening, the Church will play host to 200 voices made up of the choirs of Bishop’s College, Ladies’ College, S. Thomas’ College, S. Thomas’ Preparatory School, Holy Family Convent, Bambalapitiya, Trinity College Kandy, St. Joseph’s College and Wesley College, Octave and the Cathedral Choir. Backing the choir is stalwart Neranjan de Silva and this year, a 40 piece orchestra as well.
Keeping with the programme’s theme,the performers range from schoolchildren to professional voices joined by two internationally known names in the music field – Battista Pradal from Italy and Dr. Jonathan Clarke from England.
Conducting both the choir and the orchestra is Italian conductor and composer Battista Pradal.
Battista has been on the jury of many international choral competitions and it was at one such event last year that he found himself seated with Rohan De Lanerolle. Their friendship and partnership is what finds him heading to Sri Lanka on invitation to conduct- “it is impossible to say no to the De Lanerolle brothers!”
Back in Italy, Battista is also the founder and conductor of “In Musica Gaudium”, a choir and string orchestra in Oderzo made up of young singers, an orchestra and soloists. The similarities to the choir he will meet soon in Colombo end there. “It’s the first time I will conduct such a big choir,” he admits. But Battista’s plan for success with the enormous chorus is as simple and heartfelt as his approach to music-“the important thing is to be motivated and that every singer feels important for the success of the event.”
Neranjan de Silva
Joining him is conductor, composer and organist Dr. Jonathan Clarke. Here on his second visit to Sri Lanka Dr. Clarke is at home with the material in the programme. “I was inspired to take up the organ after joining my school chapel choir,” he says. His resume ranges from conductor of the chapel choir at Trinity College, Oxford to operas, musicals, chamber ensembles as well as numerous piano and organ recitals. These days, he is gearing for several organ recitals in England and has composed a film music project with a production company that will soon play in the West End.
Sri Lankan audiences may remember him from back in 2010 where he performed with the brothers in Colombo, Kandy, Galle and Jaffna. The trio’s musical chemistry began as a chance encounter when Dr. Clarke, then a final year student was asked to fill in as a last minute accompanist for Rohan. Becoming friends thereafter, he has accompanied the brothers on several occasions in the UK and has arranged music for them, which they have performed worldwide, most recently with Battista.
His previous recitals here were not only attended by large audiences but many young people which he said surprised him. “In the UK, audiences for classical concerts tend to be older than in Sri Lanka.”
Conductor Battista Pradal
Audiences can expect to join in with the colossal choir as Dr. Clarke’s arrangements include several popular congregational hymns. He’s left his more challenging arrangements for the brothers’ solo works such as ‘Watchman, What of the Night?’ and ‘I’ll walk with God’. His personal favourite hymn from the programme he divulges, is ‘My Song is Love Unknown’ with a modal harmony that resonates with an old English folk tune.
While Dr. Clarke provides some of the arrangements, Neranjan de Silva is busy working on the others. A familiar face behind the Cathedral organ, Neranjan too has stuck to the more familiar tunes which the audiences can enjoy, and has “dressed them up” for the event. While he agrees that multiple harmonies add to the richness of the choir, the ideal sound for Neranjan, who has been at the helm of the event since its inception is the balance of the choir and orchestra- each harmoniously sustaining each other
For the singers- both experienced and amateur, the event is one that Dr. Clarke feels must spread the message of hope and unity and of the Church as a common link between nations. For both international artists, at the core of the concert should be the happiness of performing to people. Summing up the appropriately titled concert Battista adds, “I hope we can work together with joy to give the audience the beauty of the music which stems from the beauty inside people.”
“The Church’s One Foundation” hosted by the De Lanerolle Brothers will take place on July 29 at the Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour at 7 p.m.
Entrance is by token programme priced at Rs. 1000, available at Commons Café, Park Street Mews and the Cathedral office. Proceeds are in aid of the Cathedral Educational Fund.
The orchestra pose for a picture in front of the Cathedral