Classical music’s in the air again
February 19 sees the SOSL musicians break silence after many months. Presented at the Lionel Wendt theatre, this concert features the young musicians of the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka performing a programme of chamber music.
Chamber music is more intimate than its symphonic relative, requiring smaller groups of musicians, and usually, a smaller performance space where the connection among the players, the music and the listeners is more easily established. Chamber music is generally performed without a conductor, the players relying on their understanding of the music and each other to communicate among themselves and with the audience.
The concert will highlight some combinations of players (and instruments) possible within this genre. A Mozart string quartet, an arrangement for cello ensemble and Two Piano trios will be performed: one trio with the most often seen arrangement of piano-violin-cello, and one with the slightly more unusual combination of piano-flute-cello.
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- Young performers: Months in preparation for this long awaited Concert
Virtuoso pianist Clara Schumann (nee Wieck) was an extremely talented composer in her own right, yet her famous husband Robert casts such a long shadow that her beautifully crafted compositions often go unheeded. Her Piano trio in G minor written in 1846—the only piano trio she wrote—is considered one of her greatest works. Bringing this masterpiece of Romantic music alive are Shashini Pandithasundera (piano) Lydia Goonetilleke-Jayamanne (violin) and Nilupul Silva (cello).
Carl Maria Von Weber wrote his Flute Trio in G minor between 1818 and 1819; it is one of his most substantial chamber works. The 4-movement piece is buoyant and optimistic, yet not lacking lyricism, drama and melody. This work will be performed by Shashini Pandithasundera (piano), Anouk Obeyesekere (flute) and Amani Tissera (cello).
Mozart’s String Quartet No 4 in C major, is one of the six “Milanese” string quartets written when the composer was between 16 and 17 years old. It is simple yet full of charm, each instrument clearly heard in beautiful quartet texture. This work will be performed by Zainamb Wahid (violin), Shehani Fernando (violin), Rusari Jayasuriya (viola) and Tikirimali Wickramasinghe (cello).
A more unusual grouping will perform an arrangement of J.S. Bach’s ‘Air’ from Orchestral Suite No. 3, commonly known as “Air on the G String.” This particular arrangement is for cello ensemble and double bass, and is a good example of the range of the cello (both tonally and emotionally) and how it allows for the different parts to sing in a generally homogenous texture. Performing this work are cellists Amani Tissera, Shanilka Kannangara, Karryn Perera, Tikirimali Wickramasinghe, Thosindu Wijesuriya, Nilupul Silva, Binaramali Wickramasinghe, Randal Pak and Andrea Leitan (Double bass).
The young musicians, under the guidance of the SOSL’s conductor Dushy Perera, have worked very hard to learn the intricacies of performing chamber music.
Tickets priced at Rs. 1000 are available at the Lionel Wendt theatre. All required COVID-19 protocols will be adhered to at the concert, which is presented with the approval of the CMC / MOH.
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