'Classics in Harmony':

Cultural bridge of discovery

by Mahes PERERA

Sangeethavedi Victor Ratnayake

Visharada Nanda Malini

For the first time the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka (SOSL) in its long history of music will present a unique concert of popular Sinhala and Western Classical Music at the Ladies College Hall on September 5 conducted by Ananda Dabare. The concert titled Classics in Harmony with showcase two icons in Sinhala music Visharada Nanda Malini and Victor Ratnayake whose careers have spanned two decades with distinction. The songs that the soloists have chosen for their programme have been arranged for voice and orchestra by Ananda Dabare. Ananda Dabare began his music career as an Oriental violinist before studying Western classical music and has a strong affinity for both music traditions.

The songs that will be sung are those composed by Pundit W. D. Amaradeva, Nanda Malini, Victor Ratnayake, Rohana Weerasinghe, Stanley Pieris, Sarath Dassanayake, Somadasa Elvitigala, Mervyn Perera and Paramesh - Konesh.

The Symphony Orchestra will perform two popular works from the Western classical repertoire-the overtures to Glinka's 'Ruslan and Ludmilla' and Johann Strauss II's 'Die Fledermaus'. SOSL's objective in presenting this concert is to recognise and encourage Sri Lankan composers and soloists to reach out with their music to serious music lovers.

The Orchestra hopes that this concert will provide a "cultural bridge of discovery for followers of western classical music and of classical Sinhala art song."