Cultural Diary

SOSL's concert of Romantic Masterworks

by Mahes PERERA

The Sri Lankan pianist Harsha Abeyaratna, now resident in the States, will be the soloist in the concert of Romantic Masterworks by the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka to be held on May 23 at the Ladies College Hall 7.00 p.m. The conductor for this performance of the Symphony Orchestra will be Ananda Dabare well-known for his passionate interpretation of the works of the Russian masters.

The programme for the evening will include the Sri Lanka premiere of Tchaikovsky's Symphony No.4. Music lovers will also enjoy two enchanting excerpts from Greig's popular Peer Gynt suites and Rachmaninov's lyrical 1st Piano Concerto.

Of all composers Tchaikovsky is one of the most popular for audiences all over the world. His symphonies have been described as being the cornerstones of orchestral repertoire for over a century. The Symphony No.4 which was composed in the years 1877-78 was considered by Tchaikovsky to be one of best symphonies. In fact he has described his feelings "I adore terribly this chid of mine."

Norway's most celebrated composer and the country's musical voice Edvard Greig's Peer Gynt is a five act play in verse about the adventures of the legendary hero, for which Greig was asked by Ibsen in 1874 to compose incidental music.

Sergei Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto in F Sharp Minor was his first major work which he completed in 1890 when he was 18 years. He performed the first movement at the Moscow Conservatory three days before his nineteenth birthday.

the soloist Harsha Abeyaratne is a pianist and Associate professor of Music at Muskingum University in New Concord, Ohio and enjoys an active career as a soloist, accompanist, chamber musician and teacher. The concert on May 23 is sponsored by the Norwegian Embassy.

The Graduation Exhibition 2010

The Graduation Exhibition featuring the creations of the design projects carried out by the students during the four years of University based education will be held from 8 to 10 May at the National Art Gallery in Colombo.

Arangethram of Muthukumari

The Arangethram, the debut ceremony for Bharatha Natyam, of Rangana Muthukumari Kahapala Arachchi will take place on the 15May at the John de Silva memorial hall.

She was an old girl of Panadura Sri Sumangala College. Subsequently she took an interest in Bharatha Natya and took part in many Bharatha and upcountry dance competitions. She is an undergraduate at the University of Kelaniya.