Beethoven’s Eroica and Chopin’s piano Concerto No.2 at SOSL Masterworks
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Julian Clef
The Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka (SOSL) will perform Beethoven’s Eroica – aptly named “Heroic,” –after a period of more than 20 years on November 3, at 7 p.m.at the Ladies’ College Hall.
One has only to listen to the Eroica to understand its iconic place in the history of symphonic development. Not only is this monumental work conceived on a scale much grander than anything that pre-dates it, but it also shocks the listener with grating dissonances, drastic dynamic changes and passages of strong driving rhythm interrupted by a number of incredibly beautiful melodies. The Eroica marks the development of Beethoven’s “Heroic” style which dominated the works of his middle period.
This work recreates the drama of life—with its joy, grief, death, rebirth and strife—and is a triumph both spiritually and musically.
While Beethoven paved the way for the Romantics, Chopin embodies the quintessence of Romanticism, and audiences will be treated at this concert to a performance of his 2nd Piano concerto in F minor. In keeping with the customs of his time, the young Chopin wrote his pianos concertos as showpieces for his phenomenal skill and virtuosity. This concerto shows off the piano in all its different sonorities, with singing legato melodies interspersed with virtuoso passagework. The slow movement is intensely lyrical and tender –and is said to have been prompted by the shy composer’s unrequited love for Konstancja Gladkowska, a young singer and classmate of his at the conservatory.
In Sri Lanka to perform Chopin’s piano Concerto No.2 is Julian Clef, a young, extremely talented pianist of growing repute. Indian-born Julian Clef graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music with a master’s degree in 2014. After studying with eminent pianists Martin Roscoe and Ronan O’Hara at the Guildhall School of Music, he graduated with an Artistic Diploma in July 2016. An active recitalist, Julian has performed in many venues in the UK and abroad, including Buckingham Palace in London, Leeds College of Music, St David’s Hall in Cardiff, NCPA in Mumbai and Dvorak Prague International Music Festival.
The SOSL will perform under the baton of Dushyanthi Perera, the SOSL’s resident conductor.
The SOSL Masterworks concert is sponsored by East India Holdings.
Box plan and tickets are available at the Lionel Wendt Theatre.