Dhiren’s Solo Concerts
View(s):Music is pure, authentic magic. It can move, heal, communicate, and perform a host of other amazing feats. The piano is integral to the world of music, and mastering the instrument requires a sustained degree of commitment, attention to detail and determination.
Today we speak with young pianist Dhiren Fernando, who is making his debut as a soloist with the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka (SOSL) at the ‘Romantic Masterworks’ concert on July 27, 2024, at the Lionel Wendt. Let’s explore Dhiren’s compelling journey with the piano, classical music, and more.
Q. Classical music is not a common activity among teenagers. How did you get into classical music?
Before telling you about how I started, I think what is more important is to say that my interest in classical music was sustained over the past few years by one person mainly – and that is my teacher Ms. Dushyanthi Perera, Aunty Dushy. She has been my teacher since 2020 for both the piano and the double bass and without her, I would probably have given up music years ago.
As to how I started, around the age of seven, I began taking piano lessons at Music Matters, which was fantastic because I didn’t have to worry about exams, and purely enjoyed playing. When I could hardly even play a scale, Dr. Eshantha Peiris taught me how to play a Chopin Waltz and told me that what really matters is that I love music. After that, I started studying with Mrs. Menaka Sahabandu, taking a more structured approach.
I was invited to audition for the Junior Section of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London in 2016 when I was eight years old. What I could then play was more like movie music that caught my ear, from Star Wars, or Pirates of the Caribbean. I owe a massive debt of gratitude to Mrs. Shelagh Sutherland, the Junior Guildhall’s Head of Piano, who heard me play, and took me into Guildhall, seeing beyond my actual playing ability at the time, to the potential I had. Junior Guildhall usually takes in students who have Distinctions at Grade Five in two instruments, I had only passed Grade One in Piano at the time! She taught me after that and encouraged my love of music and my abilities throughout.
Q. Who/what inspires you when it comes to classical music?
Without a doubt, Ms. Dushyanthi Perera, my teacher. She completely altered my perspective on music in general and how I evaluate my own performance as I gain knowledge and experience. I don’t have enough words to describe how amazing she is as a teacher and mentor. Aunty Dushy is a hard taskmaster. When it comes to music, she is a perfectionist and will not allow me to settle for anything less than my absolute best, especially during practice sessions. When I was younger, our early years together were, to put it mildly, turbulent. However, she was incredibly patient with me, and without her, playing this would have been an unattainable dream.
Being able to perform with an orchestra this storied and accomplished is truly incredible. The Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka (est. 1958) is one of the oldest orchestras in Asia. The social aspect of things, getting to know everyone, and the teamwork that goes into performing a concerto have all been enjoyable to me. Trying to achieve being in perfect sync with so many various instruments is really amazing. I love the way my lines converse with and twist around the lines of the cellos, clarinets, bassoons, or violins.
Q. What has your first experience performing as soloist with an orchestra been like and how is it different from performing a solo?
Every time I rehearse with the orchestra, it seems like I’m learning new melodies and facets of the work. Playing while listening to all the other instruments was a very different experience than playing my part alone, but practicing with Mrs. Shanthi Dias, Aunty Shanthi, who played the second piano part when I auditioned for the SOSL, really helped me get used to listening as I played. I wasn’t accustomed to this while playing solo in the past. She gave me lots of advice that really helped with learning the concerto, which was especially useful because she had previously performed this concerto with the SOSL, so she knew it extremely well.
Q: Is music all you have done over the past eight years?
Not at all. I have a strong passion for sports, and I play rugby. I have represented my school teams, making it to the school A team and representing the school at the bi-annual rugby tour to South Africa last year. My life has been busy, to say the least. I was a member of the team representing England at the Emerging World Leaders summer program at the University of Chicago in 2023. Being an officer in the Royal Air Force Cadets, and representing the school at the all-England Philosophy competition, the Philosothon, also took up quite a lot of my time.
Q. What are the plans for your future?
I am now studying at the Colombo International School, and I’m sitting for my A-Level exams in May 2025. I’m studying Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
Everything was pretty stressful at the time of auditioning for the SOSL because I did that around ten days before my AS level examinations began. However, now that my exams are done for the time being, I have a lot more energy to devote to practicing and studying my music. It’s challenging to juggle everything, yet practicing is never a task since I get to play music that I enjoy.
| SOSL in action The Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka (SOSL) presents the ‘Romantic Masterworks’ Concert on the 27th of July 2024 at 7.00pm at the Lionel Wendt Theatre. The programme will open with the stirring ‘Der Freischütz’ Overture by Carl Maria von Weber, followed by the composer’s Second Clarinet Concerto in E-flat. Distinguished Professor of Clarinet, Dr. Jonathan Guist from the United States will be the featured soloist for the evening. Under the baton of conductor Dushyanthi Perera, the SOSL will bring these Romantic-era masterpieces to life, offering a captivating and memorable night of music. The concert is sponsored by the Tennyson & Vinitha Rodrigo Trust and co-sponsored by People’s Leasing & Finance PLC, with support from Print Media Sponsors the Wijaya Group, and Electronic Media Sponsors, the Maharaja Group. Tickets are priced at Rs. 7500, 5000, 4000, 3000 (reserved) and 1500 (balcony unreserved) and are available at the Lionel Wendt Theatre. WhatsApp 0740670202 to reserve. | |
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