Arts

A memorable evening with Page

Ranga CHANDRARATHNE

Although technically imperfect, the visiting artiste Luise Page showed remarkable agility at piano, his chosen instrument. He is young and apparently shy of stage. Nevertheless, he is a talent worth listening to *

The second sold out concert of The Chamber Music Society of Colombo's Emerging Artists Program, featuring Louis Page Jr. (piano), was held on the May 12, 2009 at the Russian Cultural Centre auditorium, the best acoustic by far for chamber music in Colombo.

The program included Mozart's piano trio in B Flat, K 254. Niels Gade's piano trio "Novelletten" in five movements, and Mozart's piano quartet in G minor, K 478. Supporting the pianist was Lakshman Joseph de Saram (violin), Dushyanthi Perera (violoncello), and Shogo Kanamori (viola), concertmaster and principal solo players of the elite state endorsed Chamber Music Society Ensemble.

The concert began with Mozart's piano trio; it is really a piano sonata with violin obligato (like the early sonatas for violin and piano), and a cello "continuo" that rarely achieves liberation of the pianist's left hand.

Although competent technically, Louis Page Jr. needs more time to grow into this music if he is to make sense of Mozart's often elusive and tensile thought process.

The violin and cello throughout the outer movements rightly kept back their sound, giving the piano all the room it needed to resonate.

Sensitive rendering, but also somewhat underwhelming. We felt the slow movement really needed more persuasive playing from the violin especially; this movement tended to sound flaccid at times. The concertmaster's unusual reticence denied us some of Mozart's more lyrical offerings. The character of the finale was nicely caught with a jovial unhurried tempo.

The seldom-heard Niels Gade, was born Feb. 22, 1817 in Copenhagen, Denmark, and died Dec. 21, 1890 in Copenhagen. He is credited with having founded the Romantic nationalist school in Danish music. He initially studied violin and composition and became familiar with Danish poetry and folk music. The Scandinavian character of his music attracted both Mendelssohn and Schumann, who were his friends. Schumann wrote of him in the Neue Zeitschrift f'r Musik, and in 1843 Mendelssohn conducted Gade's first symphony in Leipzig.

Under the sway of Mendelssohn, his later works showed greater technical control, often at the expense of the style that had made his earlier works striking.

His piano trio op. 29, titled "Novelletten," an early work, is full of melodious folk references and Scandinavian romanticism, foreshadowing the great Carl Nielson. The trio's five movements seemed un-related, but also not too difficult to comprehend and piece together, the musicians were able to plead Gade's harmonious case quite convincingly. Beautiful cello playing was heard in the expressive second movement. We personally felt the last two movements were where the music really caught fire. Some scintillating playing from all three instruments.

The concert proper, closed with the Mozart piano quartet. By far the most rewarding work on the program. But here too, young Louis Page's Mozart was too passive, for right from the opening statement; it was obvious he was up against a trio of uncompromising collaborators with the benchmark set high.

There was a fascinating moment in the finale, worth mentioning, where the Society's concertmaster clearly took control of the proceedings and elevated the flow and intensity of the melodic line, exposing fleetingly, the agonizing tension of the genius that is Mozart, writing in the disturbing key of G minor. The daunting task of the pianist having to match the sheer experience and musical maturity of the strings was almost unfair at times, but it was nonetheless commendable playing from an emerging artist, who although displaying visible nervousness, has all the talent and potential of becoming a valuable musician in time to come.

Credit must be given to the Chamber Music Society's initiative to encourage and nurture the next generation of performing artists in Sri Lanka and the region. According to an official press release, the Society seeks out gifted musicians who can benefit from association with the Society and its players, their vibrant interaction, and the dynamic created between themselves and their audiences.

Those who fit the profile would be young musicians who have spent most of their lives honing their musical and technical skills, and have now reached a point where they are endowed with the considerable discipline and proficiency it takes to undertake a live performance career, at national and international levels.

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Kids on Stage

1. Kids on Stage, a production with junior students directed by Sashi Mendis de Costa will go onboard on May 17, 2009 at 6.00 p.m. at the Punchi Theatre Colombo 08.

2. `Sihina Horu Aran' (dreams robbed)

Sihina Horu Aran, a stage play by Ranjitha Dissanayake will be staged on May 21 at 3.30 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. at the Elphinstone Theatre. Here Rajitha brings power politics into the theatre in a well-crafted manner.

3. Concert and Annual Prize giving

The Annual Concert and Prize giving of Trinity College of Music Sri Lanka Centre, will take place on May 30, 2009 (Saturday) at 5.00 p.m. at Bishop's College Auditorium with High Commissioner for Britain in Sri Lanka Dr. Peter Hayes and Mrs. Hayes as chief guests.

4. "Machan" Picked Up For Distribution in Seven Countries

Uberto Pasolini's "Machan" been picked up for distribution in seven European territories, including Germany, France, Switzerland, Canada, Belgium, Norway and Sweden. The movie began its commercial run in Germany on 8th May, 2009 in seven cinemas. That was the film's second European release following its theatrical release in Italy last September.

After its run in Germany, "Machan" will commercially run in France, being distributed by UGC. The film, co-written by Pasolini and Sri Lankan playwright Ruwanthie de Chickera, stars a host of names from Sri Lankan film, television and theatre, including Dharmapriya Dias, Mahendra Perera, Gihan de Chickera, Sujeewa Priyalal, Dharshan Dharmaraj, Dayadeva Edirisinghe, Saumya Liyanage and Jayani Senanayake.

Machan had a successful run in Sri Lanka and has won accolades across the world, including at last year's Venice Film Festival, where the movie was given a 10-minute standing ovation. It also screened successfully in Pune and Kerala in India. More recently, it won best picture at the Palm Beach Film Festival in Florida.

5. Shrawya Drushya Nurtra Pelahera

Shrawya Drushya Nurtra Pelahera will be held on May 23, 2009 at 5.30 p.m. at Elphinstone Theatre in Maradana.

Aji - 2000

Ajith Manjula's fourth solo art exhibition will be held at Lionel Wendt Theatre, Colombo on May 23 and 24. He expects to reflect his lifetime experiences and knowledge on his creations to be displayed at the exhibition.

The Outcry at Punchi Theatre

Tennessee William's Award winning play "The Outcry" will go on board on May 22, 23 and 24 at 7.00 p.m. at Namel Malani Punchi Theatre.

The play with two characters, is woven around a story of playwrights making a play. It is a play within a play and is considered as one of the difficult plays to produce owing to its highly intricate range of emotions.

Mark Hager as Felice and Hasini Somawardena as Clare will enact perhaps the most exciting performance to be produced in contemporary Sri Lankan English theatre.

It is directed by veteran playwright and theatre personality Namel Weeramuni while the American Centre sponsors the production. Costume design by Upekha Hager and Prabath Manohara. (I.T.)

Launch of Sambudu Mangalyaya

The felicitation of veteran songstress Vivian de Silva Borelessa will be held on May 22, 2009 at John de Silva memorial theatre with Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake as the chief guest . The CD Sambudu Mangalyaya will also be launched on the occasion.