Cultural Diary

Music for Yarl-Paanam

Music lovers in Jaffna, long deprived of good Western music are in for a treat. The Chamber Music Society of Colombo (CMSC) with implementing partner, the Sewalanka Foundation will present "Music for Yarl-Paanam", at the Veerasingam Hall, on Saturday, March 27 at 4:15pm. The CMSC believes that they are up to the challenge. The public is invited to attend this event, which is absolutely free of charge, with generous sponsorship by the combination that funded this years "Galle Music Festival," Riks Konsert Ene and the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Colombo.

This could be the first orchestra playing classical music in the peninsula. The Tamil root of "Yarl-Paanam" may be translated as "the Land of the Harp Player", so it would seem appropriate to introduce classical music by great masters once more to the city.

The programme will include Mozart, Handel, Vivaldi, Haydn, Hindemith, and the new song cycle by resident composer Stephen Allen, featuring well-known soprano Mary Anne David. This programme was already played in the historic De Groote Kerk at the 4th Galle Literary Festival in January, and at the Lionel Wendt Theatre, Colombo in February. The Mozart is his middle period overture to the opera entitled "The Shepherd King". The Vivaldi Concerto Grosso features three of the CMSC's principal string players in a solo role, providing exciting and vibrant baroque musical discourse. The Haydn is his barnstorming Symphony no. 39, and the Hindemith and Allen bring challenging new sounds to the concert stage.

"Cross of Christ" - by Trinity College Choir

by Mahes Perera

The magnificent and awe inspiring Halleluiah Chorus from Handel's Messiah will be the highlight at Trinity College Choir's choral concert on March 28 at 6 p.m. at the Chapel.

The concert titled 'Cross of Christ' will contain sacred music relevant to Easter which has been the usual tradition by the Trinity College Choir, led this year by Dilukshan Srinivasagam. The Easter programme of music has been held over many years and Trinity College continues to maintain and develop its rich tradition and standard in choral music.

The College Chapel celebrates its 75th anniversary this year and is one of the finest examples of Kandyan architecture. Under the direction of an enthusiastic choir master Lasantha Tennakoon guided by Fr. Jayanath Panditharatne, Master in charge and assisted by organists Sadhana Madasekera and Dr. Suresh de Mel, the audience is ensured of an inspiring performance by the Young Trinity College Choir.

Behold the Lamb:

An evening of inspirational music and song at Navarangahala

A talented blend of Youth Choirs of St. Thomas' Church, Kotte, will come on stage at the Navarangahala on Saturday March 20, at 6.30 p.m. to sing in harmony in celebration of the "Lamb" whose sacrificial death on the cross on Good Friday and triumphant Resurrection on Easter Sunday ushered in the dawn of Salvation to mankind. "Behold the Lamb" will be an evening of inspirational hymns and songs of praise in aid of the Mission House Building Fund.

The choirs performing at the Lenten and Easter presentation of song and meditation will include "St. Thomas' Kotte Youth Choir", "The Little Flower Choir", "The Daham Pasala Choir" and "The Young Adult Movement Choir" all from St. Thomas' Church, Kotte. Guest performances will be presented by "The Saints" a popular choral outfit led by Suren Abeysekera, "Ano Domini", currently the most popular country and western band in town led by Shehan Perera, as well as solo performances by inimitable Milroy and Bosco. The repertoire will include some of the most popular classical Christian hymns as well as modern songs of praise and worship while the meditation will provide spiritually uplifting reflections to make Lent and Easter more meaningful to Christians.

'Behold the lamb' is presented by the building committee of St. Thomas' Church, Kotte with a view to making the Lenten devotions and Easter celebrations more meaningful as the Christmas carols during the Christmas season while also raising funds for the Misson House Building Project. "Easter" is the most important and central event in the history of salvation. Such performances during Lent and Easter would enhance the efforts to restore the great feast to its rightful position in the Christian calendar far above Christmas. Tickets are available at St. Thomas' Church Kotte and at the gate at Navarangahala on the date of the performance.

Anil Mihiripenna and his orchestra in concert

A musical show presenting internationally renowned musician and veteran flutist Shastrapathi Anil Mihiripenna will be held on Thursday March 25 at 6.00 p.m. at the Elphinstone Hall, Maradana.

The High Commissioner of Bangladesh Mahaboob Us Samann will be the chief guest at the show which will feature aesthetic musical recitals of Jogh and Mishra Kamaj Ragas by Shastrapathi Mihiripenna.

In addition, the latter will play Bhatiyali music native to the Bengali region of India and recitals based on local folk music while providing the audience with a meditative experience in music with the flute.

The audience will be treated to a Symphony type of music by the students of the Sharadha Kala Nikethana whilst Shastrapathi Nruthya Nipun Anushka Ekanayaka will perform a Kathak dance. Shastrapathi Peshala Manoj will accompany on the tabla for the musical show.

The show will be held for invitees only. For invitations call Sharada Kola Nikethanaya on 2580082 or 0777326359.

German jazz trio in concert

The Wolfgang Haffner Jazz Trio will be in concert on March 28 at 7.00 p.m. at the Barefoot. The trio comprises Wolfgang Haffner - drums, Lars Danielsson - bass and Hubert Nuss - piano. Drummer Wolfgang began his career as a professional musician in the German French Jazz Ensemble conducted by the German jazz legend Albert Mangelsdorff, and later was the drummer in Klaus Doldingers band 'Passport' for eleven years touring Europe and South Africa. A most in demand international jazz artist Haffner has recorded with greats like Pat Metheney, Bill Evans, Bob James among many others. He formed his band in 2002 and to date has released eleven albums. The concert is presented by the Goethe - Institute in collaboration with Barefoot Gallery.

Feminist film festival

In celebration of the International Women's Day 2010, The Women and Media Collective will hold a feminist film festival at the Namel-Malani Punchi Theatre, Borella from March 24 - 27. The show times are 3 pm and 6 pm.

Programme:

March 24 "Dor" (Hindi)

25 "Frida" (English)

26 "The Last City" (English)

27 "Ramchand Pakistan" (Urdu-Hindi)

'Devi Seya Ru Dekma'

Devi Balika Photographic Society will hold Devi Seya Ru Dekma at the National Art Gallery, Colombo 7 on March 26 and 27 from 10 am - 5 pm.

Kalabhushana L.E. Samararatne and National School Director P. Sri Lal Nonis will be the special guests at the opening ceremony on March 26 at 10 am.