In the mood to be treated to some tasteful original classical music? Then the 52nd Young Soloist Concert scheduled to be held next Saturday, is a must-go event for all you classical music lovers. The main attraction of the show, Natasha Senanayake is a 22-year-old musician, garnering her talent for music composition on the ideal platform which is the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka (SOSL) – which has featured such talented musicians for over two decades now.
Natasha will debut her premier soloist composition at this event, for the SOSL. This body takes special interest in fostering Sri Lankan talent – of young soloists and composers, and dedicates one of its annual subscription concerts to feature talented young soloists who have the potential to feature on world stages in the future.
Natasha Senanayake’s composition titled “Of Shores Near and Far,” is an inspirational piece, which she says stems from her “experiences of life in Sri Lanka and the USA.,” thus mitigating the “use of a common melody found in traditional Sri Lankan folk music, as well as the inspiration attained from the natural beauty of South Carolina in spring,” said Natasha.
The piece is structured, she said, so that, the beginning of the piece depicts bird calls heard early on a spring morning which leads into the Sri Lankan folk tune, introduced by the French horn; the contrasting middle section of the piece includes a soulful love theme – one could picture a lone fisherman riding out to sea on a moonlit night and the latter part of the piece returns to the initial bird calls,” thus creating a fusion of musical thoughts and genres, intertwining her mother land with her adopted home in South Carolina.
Natasha is presently studying at the Petrie School of Music, Converse College, Spartanburg, in South Carolina, U.S.A. She is currently underway in her second year, having concluded her first year in a bachelor’s degree in music composition, under her professors – Dr. Scott Robbins (composition) and Dr. Douglas Weeks (piano).
Coming from a family of musicians and composers, Natasha was exposed to classical music from the early age of 5. She surrounded herself with musical activities while schooling at Ladies’ College and was appointed the leader of the school orchestra.
During the course of her adolescent life, Natasha has accumulated many prizes for her achievements in music, both in and outside school, including the Ena Corea Memorial cup which was awarded to her while at Ladies’ College and many awards from the Trinity College of Music, London. She is also a proud Associate of the Trinity College of Music, London, holding the ATCL diploma in Piano.
Natasha expanded her music career by co-directing two concerts: A Grand Night for Singing held in 2007, and Inspired, in 2008. She also taught the piano, before she left to pursue higher studies in music, in the U.S.
Natasha started composing at the tender age of 15 and has never looked back. “I am honored to have been given an opportunity by the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka to compose a piece for them,” said Natasha. Her premier on August 1 is just the initial step for this young Lankan musician and composer.
The 52nd Young Soloist Concert will be held at the Ladies College Hall on August 1, at 7pm. |
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