Music to the world

By Kesara Ratnatunga

Rossini,Gershwin, Mozart, Tchaikovsky...the timeless works of these masters of music will be brought alive for Sri Lankan audiences this July, by no less than 85 of America's finest 'young maestros' who comprise the highly acclaimed ensemble of the Long Island Youth Orchestra.

The programme has something for everybody, from the hardcore classical music enthusiasts, to those who listen to music purely for its energy and entertainment.

The orchestra's founding conductor, the charismatic Martin Dreiwitz will lead the orchestra in a repertoire of orchestral works ranging from classical music such as Mozart's 'Sinfionia Concertante for Violin, Viola and Orchestra', and Rossini's 'Oveture to the Thieving Magpie' to show music by Gershwin and other Broadway hits. A special feature will be the performance of 'Three Sri Lankan Dances' a composition by Sri Lanka's very own maestro, Lalanath de Silva, Associate Conductor of the Symphony Orchestra of Colombo. The first half of the musical evening will concentrate on the more serious classical pieces and the latter will be on a lighter note, focusing on show music from Broadway.

On a world tour from West Asia through South-East Asia to the Far-East and Guam, the Long Island Youth Orchestra (LIYO) is the largest ensemble to visit Sri Lanka since the London Symphony Orchestra in the 1950's.

Based at Long Island University in New York, LIYO is the result of a summer programme conducted every year in which some of the most talented young musicians between the ages of 14 and 25 from the United States are handpicked to perform with the orchestra. A large number of young musicians who have been a part of the orchestra have gone on to study at conservatories and music schools and become professional musicians.

The outstanding feature of this ensemble is that it is probably the only youth orchestra that tours.

Since it's inception 36 years ago, LIYO has made 28 concert tours to all parts of the globe, including Europe, South America, Australia, Asia and South Africa. They travel as musical ambassadors. This will be the second time the orchestra visits Sri Lanka, the first time being in 1977.

LIYO will hold two performances, the first in Kandy on Thursday July 13, at Avanhala at 6 p.m., and the second in Colombo on Sunday July 16, at the Bishop's College Auditorium at 6.30 p. m.

A workshop on the different aspects of orchestral playing will be held on Saturday July 15, at the Bishop's College Auditorium. Approximately 100 musicians from school orchestras, school bands, the National Youth Orchestra, the Symphony Players and the service bands have been invited to participate. The workshop will include discussions on orchestral playing, demonstration performances and many interactive activities.

Swelling the ranks of the performers in Colombo will be 10 young Sri Lankan musicians selected from the Symphony Orchestra. "It's a great opportunity for our young players to learn about orchestral discipline and styles," says Lalanath de Silva. Complete with full string, woodwind, brass and percussion sections, the Long Island Youth Orchestra promises a moving and powerful musical experience for both young and old.

LIYO performs in Sri Lanka under the auspices of the Music Trust, which is a charitable organisation dedicated to helping gifted young musicians from Sri Lanka to further their studies in music and also to "present concerts which set standards".

All proceeds from the concerts will go to the charity organisations -The Music Trust and The Sri Lanka German Friendship Society.

Box plan and tickets are available at the Bishop's College Auditorium.

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