TV Times

More readily recognized on the local music scene for his appearances as a classical pianist and rock keyboardist, Eshantha Peiris will return to the stage to present a recital of his original musical compositions at the Russian Cultural Centre Hall on Friday and Saturday, 18 and 19 August at 7.15 pm.

Eshantha, who is currently pursuing a Master of Arts degree in Music Composition at New York University (where he also teaches in the piano department), began his training in piano and music theory with Ramya Perera, and later furthered his passion for the creative side of music under the guidance of composers Mark-Antonio Consoli (classical), Ira Newborn (film) and Jim McNeely (jazz), while picking up a Diploma and a Bachelors' degree (sponsored by Prima Ceylon Ltd.) in piano performance along the way.

The recital programme consists mainly of chamber-sized classical and jazz compositions written by Eshantha within the last four years, with some of the works having been composed/arranged especially for the weekend's performers. The talented performer line-up comprises several of Sri Lanka's emerging generation of musicians, including vocalists Anjuli Gunaratne and Eranga Goonetilleke, string instrumentalists Namali Fernando (cello), Amal Abeysekera (viola) and Satish Casie Chetty (violin), flautists Sureka Amerasinghe, Tilanka Jayamanne, Ruvindra Angunawela, Natasha Senanayake and Johann Peiris (alto flute), drummer Sumudi Suraweera, bass guitarist Alston Joachim, and the composer himself at the piano. Also freatured will be a composition each from Sri Lankan composer Natasha Senanayake and Brazilian composer Edmundo Villani-Cortes.

Programmed with a music-loving Sri Lankan audience in mind (and including a hint of interactive audience participation), 'Composed: the Music of Eshantha J. Peiris' promises to be an enjoyable/thought-provoking evening's worth of musical offerings.

Programmes will be available at the Russian Cultural Centre (open 9.00 am-7.00pm daily) from August 4.