Making music along with big names

Dr. Lalith Perera, then a medical student and the orchestra’s only flautist looks back at the Symphony Orchestra’s first concert 50 years ago

On September 13,1956, the Symphony Orchestra of Ceylon sponsored by the Panel for Western Music, Dance and Drama of the Arts Council gave its first public performance at the Ladies College Hall after several weeks of intensive rehearsals. Richard Weerasooriya, himself a pianist, was chairman of the panel.

The good old days: Lalith Perera is seen in the last but one row (extreme left). At the piano is Malinee Jayasinghe Peiris

Hussain Mohamed, who was at that time leading the Galle Face Hotel resident orchestra, was chosen as conductor.

The leader of the orchestra was Eileen Prins, who had previously been awarded an Exhibition by the Associated Board of Music entitling her to free tuition at the Royal Academy of Music, London.

The soloist on this occasion was Malinee Jayasinghe-Pieris, one of Ceylon’s best-known pianists at the time.
The programme was as follows:

Haydn: Symphony No. 92 in G (“The Oxford”)
Geminiani: Concerto Grosso No. 2 in C Minor
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor.
I was the first, and at that time, the only flautist playing in the orchestra for this inaugural concert. I happened to be a member of the Royal College Orchestra and in answer to an article stating that a flautist was needed the save the national orchestra I auditioned before Mr. Mohamed at the Galle Face Hotel, who asked me to join the orchestra.

It was quite an experience to play with such great names as Eileen Prins, Earle de Fonseka, Frosty van Langenberg, Ruben Solomon and Dr. Aubrey Outschoorn (better known as ‘Buds’) .

Incidentally there were two doctors and three medical students in the orchestra. Dr. Earle de Fonseka, Dr. Aubrey Outschoorn and Anula (violin) and Arjuna Aluvihare (now Professor)-cello and myself.

The review of this concert by G. de S had the headlines; “It was a tremendous success”. As G. de S. rightly said, “one did miss the sonority of the lower wood-winds as the oboe and bassoon parts were given to two extra clarinets”.

He went on to say, “The praise I have showered on the pianist should not in any way dwarf the big bouquet and the posies which must go to Mr. Mohamed and the members of the orchestra”. Including the lady timpanist, Aloma Gonsal.
He concluded by saying, “The Symphony Orchestra of Ceylon- the national orchestra with an international composition – has certainly made a great beginning”.