Well-known Keiko Kobayashi returns

The well-known Japanese conductor Keiko Kobayashi returns to Sri Lanka to conduct the Colombo Wind Orchestra (CWO) at its third annual concert on March 22 , at the Ladies College Auditorium. Kobayashi who is well- known to Sri Lankan audiences for her work with the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka (SOSL), is also widely recognised for her association with the world-renowned Tokyo Kosei Wind Band. She conducted a spectacular concert of the CWO last year in Colombo.

The concert will open with the 'Third Suite for Wind Band' by Alfred Reed, which consists of ballet music.

This will be followed by two delightful items from operetta, the aria 'Vilia' from the 'Merry Widow' by Lehar and the rousing polka 'Thunder and Lightning' from 'The Bat' by Strauss.

Broadway has not been forgotten and medleys of popular tunes from the hit musicals 'Lion King' and 'Les Miserable' will follow.

The concert will close with a moving and evocative piece inspired by a masterpiece of Shakespeare, a symphonic portrait of 'Othello', composed by Alfred Reed.

The CWO was formed by the wind players of the SOSL to focus on a repertoire for a wind band, which is not widely known in Sri Lanka.

It numbers over 45 wind and percussion players drawing of the best players from the services, schools and universities in addition to the SOSL players. Its concerts to date have been well received and have given audiences an unique opportunity to experience the full palette of tone colours.