Evening of classical and contemporary orchestral and choral music
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The Western Orchestra of Ananda College Colombo presented DOLCE’19; an evening of classical and contemporary orchestral and choral music at the Bishops College Auditorium, Colombo, recently. The chief guest for the event was Prof. Kolitha Bhanu Dissanayake, former dean of the faculty of Music. The guests of honour included Major General M. N. S. Perera(Director, National Cadet Corps), Major General Vajira Wijerathna(former Director General National Cadet Corps) and old Anandians Harsha Makalanda(composer and pianist), Dr. Sunil Perera(Consultant Neurosurgeon) and Prof. Anul Perera(Professor – University
of Moratuwa).
The Orchestra was formed six years ago under the vision of the Master in Charge Major Nishantha Gunasekara. The Orchestra emerged as Runners-Up at the All Island Orchestra competition organized by the Ministry of Education for three consecutive years in 2016,2017 and 2018 under the baton of Uthsara Malaweera Arachchi. The orchestra regularly performs at college functions and has performed at “Vivace” concerts organized by the Western Music Association of Ananda college from 2014 – 2016. The orchestra also performed as part of a combined orchestra with orchestras from Ladies’ College, Ananda College and the Band of Gateway College, Rajagitiya at “Mozzafiato” in 2018, which was hosted by Ladies’ College, Col. at the Ladies College Main Hall.
In October 2018 the orchestra was also invited as guest performance at “Con Brilliante” organized by the Orchestra of Lyceum International School Nugegoda. Many members of the orchestra of Ananda College are also members of the National Youth Orchestra of Sri Lanka and other notable orchestras in the country.
The concert featured a wide array of music from different periods and genres and also had works by major composers such as L. V. Beethoven, Franz Lehar, Johann Strauss, Klaus Badelt etc. The Western Orchestra of Ananda college was led by Concert Master Jayana Gunasekara.
At Dolce 2019, the guest conductor for the night Dr. Dilan Angunawela conducted the first movement of Beethovens immortal Fifth Symphony, Radetzky March by Johann Strauss and the graceful Emperor Waltz composed by
Johann Strauss 2.
Uthsara Malaweera Arachchi conducted the dramatic theme from the blockbuster film“Pirates of the Caribbean”, Franz Lehar’s elegant Gold and Silver waltz, the “Final Countdown” by the pop group Europe and the epic theme from the blockbuster “Avengers” composed by Alan Silvestri.
Agraja Wijayawardane conducted ‘Viyo Gee Gayena Hade’ arranged by Jayana Gunasekara for Orchestra and Choir. The choir of Sri Sumangala Girls’ School Panadura joined the orchestra for this piece and for ‘Me Awanhale’ conducted by Maj. Nishantha Gunasekara and arranged by Jayana Gunasekara.
Thaveesha Paranawidana performed the second movement of Poulenc’s Flute sonata accompanied by Dr. Dilan Angunawela. Maj. Nishantha Gunasekara performed Master Amaradeva’s ‘Hanthana Sihine’ along with Arunodha Dissanayake from the choir of Sri Sumangala girls School Panadura accompanied by the Orchestra of
Ananda College.
The Junior Orchestra of Ananda College performed an arrangement of the “Sound of Music” by Richard Rogers and Fanfare and March by A. Sullivan. The Junior orchestra was conducted by Jayana Gunasekara and led by Gevin Subasinghe.