MUSIC  

Rutter's Requiem

by The Colombo Philharmonic Choir on April 3:

The Colombo Philharmonic Choir, one of the oldest performing choral groups in the country, will present John Rutter's 'Requiem' at St. Andrew's Scots Kirk, Galle Road, Colombo 3, on Sunday, April 3. This is the first time the 'Requiem' is being performed in Sri Lanka.

The version being performed by the Colombo Philharmonic Choir is for choir, organ and instrumental ensemble comprising Flute, Oboe, Horn, Cello, Timpani, Glockenspiel and Synthesised Harp. Denham Pereira, Director of Music, St. Andrew's Scots Kirk will be the organist, while the featured soloist will be renowned Soprano, Anagi Perera. The performance will be directed by Manilal Weerakoon.

The 'Requiem' was completed by Rutter (b. 1945) in 1985 and is one of his more advanced works. This work is still performed regularly across the world, and is widely recognised as one of the most popular compositions of the last thirty years. It was created on the death of Rutter's father, and is indebted to Gabriel Fauré's sole contribution to that same genre.

Sometimes mournful, at other times gently consoling, the work displays Rutter's skillful use of turbulent harmonic changes and typically lyrical melodic lines in vividly depicting the transition from a desperate search for rest, to the hope of eternal peace. Traditional in its inspiration, the selection of the common liturgical Latin text in Rutter's Requiem is broadened by the incorporation of relevant biblical texts, including English translations of Psalms 23 and 130.

The performance will take place at 7 p.m. and entrance will be by Program, which will be available at the door.

Geeth Raath with Kalaik Kamal

TV, radio and stage artiste Kalaik Kamal's 34th Geeth Raath musical show program was held at the J. R. Jayewardene Cultural Centre, Colombo recently. The event saw performance by Kalaik Kamal and Mueena Mohideen Baig among others. SLBC artistes Ashroff Khan, M. S. Abdull Latiff and social worker A.F. Feroze Noon were also felicitated at the event, which had Colombo District Parliamentarian and Colombo Central UNP Organiser Mujeebur Rahuman as the Chief Guest. Among the attendees were former Mayor of Colombo Omar Kamil, former Provincial Councilor S.H. Mohamed, media Personnel and TV and Radio artistes

Text and pic: Ruzaik Farook

Heart, World and Future

An evening of Japan-Sri Lanka musical harmony:

A unique musical concert titled Heart, World and Future, featuring students of Kosei Gakuen Girl's School from Japan and students of Sri Jayewardenepura University, will be held on Tuesday March 29, 2016 at 6.00 p.m. at the National Youth Services Council Auditorium, Maharagama. Admission is free of charge.

The Kosei Gakuen Girl's School's orchestra is one of the recipients of the Gold Medal in 2015 Tokyo Band competition having competed with over 250 high schools. Kosei Gakuen girls have also received a prestigious award at the 2015 Japan Wind Orchestra and Ensemble contest having competed with 36 top high schools in Japan.

The school's ensemble consisting of 35 students in the age group of 15 to 18 years are coming to Sri Lanka from March 24 to 30 as part of the school's educational program to expose students to international exchanges, and they will perform at this concert together with 25 undergraduates of Sri Jayewardenepura University.

The undergraduate ensemble consists of vocalists and instrumentalists who are currently following the special Degree in Music and are being trained by the internationally acclaimed Sitarist and Composer as well as the Bunka Award winner, Pradeep Ratnayake, who is the head of the Department of Languages, Cultural Studies and Performing Arts.

The concert is organised by the Rissho Kosei Dhamma Foundation, Sri Lanka, and is supported by the Embassy of Japan.