From
Debussy to Brahms, a musical treat from versatile Harsha
'Harsha Abeyaratne in Concert' sees the acclaimed Sri Lankan pianist
perform at the Lionel Wendt theatre on Sunday, December 19 at 7
p.m. Abeyaratne studied music at Lewis and Clark College, Portland,
Oregon and Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana. At Ball State,
he received a doctorate in classical music, a rare feat for a Sri
Lankan in any part of the world.
Abeyaratne,
who is currently an Assistant Professor of Music at Muskingum College
in New Concord, Ohio, has performed extensively in the United States
as a soloist and collaborative pianist. His recent faculty collaborations
have included performances in Huntington, West Virginia with trombonist
Mike Stroeher; in Chicago, Illinois with saxophonist George Wolfe;
and in Ashland, Oregon, with violinist, Elwira Kreingel.
He
also has research interests in Sri Lankan folk music and Robert
Muczynsky's piano works. Abeyaratne's numerous awards include the
Ensele Scholarship at Ball State University and the Jean Ramsudeen
Scholarship at Lewis and Clark College, both for excellence in music.
His schedule in the past two years included solo recitals in West
Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, and Colombo.
Abeyaratne,
who is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda, a music honour society, has
served in the faculties of Marshall University, Huntington, West
Virginia and Manchester College, North Manchester, Indiana.
Harsha
Abeyaratne became interested in classical music at an early age
and studied piano with Mary Billimoria for several years while a
student at Royal College before proceeding to the United States
for studies. His educational qualifications include two undergraduate
degrees in music and chemistry, respectively, from Lewis and Clark
College and two advanced degrees in music from Ball State University.
The concert is sponsored by Embassy of the USA, and Ceylinco Consolidated.
Pera
to honour a maestro
The University of Peradeniya will confer an honorary D.Litt on the
internationally famed cellist Rohan de Saram at the Convocation
on December 15. The Alumni Association of the University of Peradeniya
(AAUP) is felicitating Mr. de Saram on this award at Conversazione
on December 19 at 7.00 pm at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute
(SLFI) where he along with W.D. Amaradeva and Piyasara Shilpadhipathi
will make presentations with musical illustrations about their music
and the possibility of fusion of Asian and Western musical forms
and traditions.
The
AAUP is also launching a public appeal for funds for building the
University of Peradeniya Gallery and Museum of Contemporary Art
at this event. The project was triggered off by the magnificent
bequest by Ian Goonetileke to the University of over 150 paintings
including over 120 by George Keyt.
There
will be no charge for admission, but donations to the Gallery fund
are requested. The AAUP requests the public to please give generously.
Young
nature lovers go wild
The Young Zoologists' Association (YZA), a voluntary youth organization
working for nature conservation will hold their 11th annual Wildlife
and Nature Art Exhibition of YZA - Kin Wild 2004, from December
15 to 18 at Namel Malini Punchi Theatre, Colombo 8. The exhibition
will be declared open on December 15 at 5 p.m. by Thilo W. Hoffmann.
The
exhibition will comprise creations of members who have successfully
completed the comprehensive training course in wildlife art conducted
by the association. Around 100 paintings will be on display. The
main sponsor of this event is Sri Lanka Telecom.
From
classical to Christmas favourites from Pera Singers
'In Dulci Jubilo', Christmas with the Peradeniya Singers
goes on the boards on December 18, at the Lionel Wendt at 7 p.m.
The
Peradeniya Singers have decided to spread the joy of Christmas and
help the Rainbow Children programme for vocational training of slum
children of Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Hatton as their charity. This
programme requires nearly Rs. 67,000 a month.
The
programme will include the title work In Dulci Jubilo, works by
Benjamin Britten, Sinhala and Tamil Carols, a Basque Carol, new
arrangements of Jingle Bells and Silent Night and a few Christmas
pieces by the pop stars of today. There will be popular carols for
audience participation as well.
The
Peradeniya Singers began life as the University Singers founded
by Robin Mayhead at the University of Ceylon in 1953. Robin Mayhead
came to the University's Department of English in Peradeniya from
Downing College, Cambridge, where he had directed a choral group.
Mayhead was committed to acapella performance, a skill he nurtured
in his fledging group.
The
original group faded out after the departure of Robin Mayhead in
1958, though the impetus was carried to the SCM choir and the Newman
Society choir, the latter directed by Frederic Ludowyk and then
by Ray Forbes.
The
present director Bridget Halpe was a member of the Newman Society
choir from 1956. She returned in 1962 from a two-year stint in Bristol
studying music at the University. Drawing on her training and experience,
she took over the Newman Society choir and revived the University
Singers.
Both
choirs met regularly and presented several programmes despite disruptions
over the years. Fortunately, the group already included several
non-university people, and so the choir was able to continue under
the new name Peradeniya Singers.
A teacher,
his students and their combined colours
W.A. Ariyasena, a well-known artist and senior lecturer at the Kelaniya
University's Institute of Aesthetic Studies teams up with five of
his students from different fields for 'A Myriad of Colour' an exhibition
at the Lionel Wendt gallery from December 17 to 19.
The
unassuming Ariyasena, now nearly 75 years old is the creator of
the Parliament Mace. He designed the impressive piece made of ivory,
sterling silver and 22-carat gold that adorns the Parliament and
also the government crest or seal of state. His long career has
seen many awards for art.
Exhibiting
with Mr. Ariyasena are sisters Purnima Abeyratne and Sugandhi Edirisinghe.
Better known as a fashion designer, Purnima mainly works with oils,
acrylics and water colours and finds painting a blissful escape
from the stress of her profession. Sugandhi travels widely and says
her work is a personal response to her life and surroundings. She
favours the abstract and enjoys the use of colour to give sparkle
and freshness to her work.
The
fourth member of the group Andrea Babapulle is drawn to landscapes
and modern art. She has painted with the group for three years while
Brian Kerkoven, also a designer joined them recently. Also exhibiting
is Sandy de Alwis whose work is all modern.
Await
those favourites
In the mood to hear some of your favourite Sinhala songs? "Ananda
Rathriya Super Concert" organised by veteran singer Gratian
Ananda, will be a treat for all fans starved of quality Sinhala
entertainment.
The
variety show was held for the first time last year as a celebration
of Gratian's 25 years in the Sinhala music scene. An artist famed
for playback singing, Gratian has added colour to a host of characters,
ranging from the late Gamini Fonseka to Joe Abeywickrama, Sanath
Gunathilake and many other actors of the younger generation.
A special
feature of the variety show will be film songs performed live, accompanied
with clips of the original films shown on giant screens. "Ananda
Rathriya Super Concert" goes on the boards on December 20 at
the Tower Hall and on December 29 at the Elphinstone Theatre.
-Vidushi
Unforgettable
show for one of a kind
Into a darkened Russian Cultural Centre hall walked Mary Anne David,
expecting to hear a German musical ensemble performance. Instead
she was stunned to see her picture illuminated on the overhead screen
and a hall packed with friends, family and well wishers at "One
of a Kind" - a tribute to her from her students for 30 years
of dedicated teaching. It was also a wonderful tribute from her
husband, Andrew, who had conceived the whole conspiracy.
Mary
Anne was described as a teacher, choral director, wife, mother,
friend, confidante and sometimes matchmaker and marriage broker…and
summed up as "one of a kind".
Extracts
of various concerts conducted by Mary Anne and performed by her
students were highlighted in a brief visual presentation. The audience
was then treated to a live concert, ranging from excerpts from opera
through Broadway to pop performed by Mary Anne's past and present
pupils. The singing had all the style, panache and musicality that
is associated with Mary Anne's concerts and was greatly enjoyed
by the audience. The emotion with which the singers performed was
clear to see in their faces and even the audience was touched by
the devotion and respect these students had for their teacher. In
particular "Unforgettable", sung by her son Andre, was
deeply moving as he dedicated the song to his mother. Mary Anne
was in tears at the end of the show….. as was most of the
audience.
The
accompaniment was provided by Soundarie David on the piano, Neranjan
de Silva on the keyboards and Christo Prins on drums. The music
was outstanding, especially the piano playing of Soundarie, who
excelled both on the classical scores as well the jazz and pop.
Her ability to improvise and follow the singer is quite special.
Along with Neranjan's keyboard artistry and Christo's rhythmic drumming,
the three accompanists provided the 'oomph', which only they are
capable of creating. ( Neranjan also showed his versatility through
his hilarious portrayal of a 'piano playing mouse' in the Cat Duet,
which had the audience in stitches of laughter.) As an aside, I
am looking forward to hearing these three great music makers perform
in a concert of their own and hope it will be soon.
"One
of a Kind" was truly so……. in Mary Anne's own words
"it is extremely rare but very gratifying to receive tributes
while one is still alive and to see and enjoy the appreciation of
one's hard work". This concert, originated and flawlessly executed
by her family and students, was a special performance in honour
of a very special person.
Sharmini Wettimuny |