Tribute to Earle

Kala Keerthi Dr. Earle de Fonseka played a major role in the development of western music in the latter half of the 20th century in Sri Lanka. He was the conductor of the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka from 1961 upto his death in 2000. He conducted numerous orchestral and choral concerts, and was able to attract well known international soloists to perform with him. He was a mentor and guide to young musicians and relished the joy of playing chamber music, supporting younger musicians in their efforts, and also taking part himself in small ensembles with his friends.

As a tribute to him, The Earle de Fonseka Trust presents a concert of chamber music featuring some talented young musicians, on June 5 at the Russian Centre (No 10, Independence Avenue, Colombo 7) commencing at 7.30 p.m. The programme opens with Haydn’s Kaiser quartet performed by Thushani Jayewardene and Amal Abeysekera (violin), Mangala Abeysekera (viola) and Tamara Holsinger (cello). This quartet, which is one of the great masterworks of Haydn, is famous for the fact that the theme of its slow movement (Emperor’s Hymn) was used as the Austrian National Anthem.

The string quartet is expanded to a string sextet with the addition of Rasika Hewage (viola) and Amila Abeyasekera (cello) for the last work in the programme, the first movement of Tchaikovsky’s brilliant and technically complex work ‘Souvenior de Florence’.

In between these two works is the Piano trio by Clara Schumann, performed by Johan Pieris (piano), Thushani Jayewardene (violin) and Amila Abeysekera (cello). Clara Schumann lived in an era when the world was not ready to accept that a woman could be an outstanding composer. Famous during her time as a pianist, her talent as a composer is now acknowledged universally. Entrance to the concert is by programme, priced at Rs. 400, available at Titus Stores, Liberty Plaza.