Entertainment

Romantic era music concert

Violinist Ananda Dabare the concert master of the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka and pianist Eshantha Peiris will present an evening of classical music at the Lionel Wendt Theatre on November 18 at 7.30 p.m. The programme for the evening will be a variety of Romantic-era music ranging from the deeply profound to the dazzlingly vituosic to the unabashedly tuneful and will certainly be a treat for all lovers of classical music. The works that will be performed will include Caesar Frank's Sonata for Violin and Piano in A Major, Tchaikovsky's Meditation, Sonata for Violin and Piano in D Minor by Brahms and Saint-Saens' Introduction and Rondo Capriccio.

Ever since his return from Russia where he earned the degree of Master of Fine Arts Ananda Dabare has established himself as a much sought-after violin teacher. He is also the founder and director of the Krasna Chamber Ensemble in Sri Lanka. Pianist Eshantha Peiris recently returned from New York where he studied music performance and composition at New York University. Since his return he has been actively involved in the local classical, jazz and choral music scenes and has established the Aumkar School of Multicultural Arts.

M.P.

Nostalgia from Desmond

The Yamang Bando man Desmond de Silva was in town and performed at the Legends Concert last Tuesday, with his usual verve, vitality and humour. That is something you cannot erase from the image of Desmond despite the swift passing of years. And that same enthusiasm is captured on his lastest DVD 'The Return of Desmond and the Clan' when he performed at the BMICH.

If you are a fan of his and who isn't, then this DVD gives you the opportunity to enjoy his singing style. The DVD produced and distributed by Torana contains more than thirty songs and all of them are gems for nostalgia. Take the English songs for instance. There's Pretty Woman, I Can See Clearly Now, Quando Quando a duet with Mariazelle, Jamaican Farewell, La Bamba, Save The Last Dance, On Broadway with Rukshan Perera, Simply The Best and many more, the list is long. As for the Sinhala songs its a kind of fiesta session. Starting off his performance with Yanna Ratawatey followed by Ayah, Desmond and the Clan sang Denkaley Kollo Wasai, Kolumpure Sriya, Aley Bande Magey Ramya Wan, Chudamanike, Sumihiri Paney and Ravanagey Puthraya much to the delight of his fans at the BMICH that evening.

MP

Musician of a rare kind

By Mahes PERERA

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There was a time in his young days when he sported a multi-coloured broad head band and a springy step identifying himself with musical youth. Yet Billy Fernando was an extra-ordinary multi talented and versatile young musician, winning many prizes much to the envy of others. Just read.

He won the Junior Inter School singing competition when he was just six years. He was the youngest member of the Sri Lanka Philharmonic Orchestra. He won the Inter school Jana Kavi singing competition at the age of thirteen and won the 'Peterite Best Musician of the Year Award' and was also the leader of the Western and Eastern Bands of St. Peter's College when he turned sixteen years. But that was not all.

His interest in music during these years was so great that he formed the Gospel group Ezra and the commercial rock band Acid Rain and joined Bathiya and Santhush as their drummer.

What's more when he was eighteen he took over the mantle of proprietor of his father's business Tennyson Guitars and the School of Music. There are more achievements too long to list here.

Now Billy Fernando has come through his fledging years with flying colours. This sensitive multi-instrumentalist will be in concert today at the British School Auditorium and will also launch his first Solo album Yuwathiya, which contains ten Sinhala songs created by him. Mature in his thinking Billy comments "I wish to see this country learn to enjoy and embrace music at its highest standards. I would like to do my best to enhance the local music industry to grow stronger and to compose and produce music to the best of my ability." At today's concert the band comprises Ruban Balakrishnan - drums, Nadeeka Jayawardena - bass, Priyan Perera, Nigel Fernando, Joshua Sellamuthu-guitar, Sajeewa Gurusinghe - flute. Back up harmony will be provided by Salome Nanayakkara, Nevanthi Gunasekera and Mariam Luthusi. Guest vocalist will be Sashika Nisansala.

What can music lovers expect from your album?

It's a compilation of various styles and themes, varying from love to war. Most of the lyrics for the ten Sinhala songs were written by me, reflecting my own life experiences, and will reach out to the hearts of young lovers. There's a song dedicated to a mother's love, and a song for peace in our country. I'm releasing my CD through M Entertainment and two of my songs are already being aired on radio and the videos are being telecast."

Before you go tell us, have you created a new sound in rhythm different from the present day beat?

"I have broken away from the norm of hip-hop and R&B and I've introduced music with more intensity and emotion using my guitar. I hope it gels with my fans!"

Soprano - piano recital

The Alliance Francais will host Menaka de Fonseka - Sahabandu - soprano and Soundarie David Rodrigo - piano at an evening of classical music which will be held on November 21 at 7.00 p.m. Both these musicians are well-known and they will perform a selection of works by Handel Gounod, Mozart, Kern, Walton, Debussy, Faure and Donizetti among others. Menaka de Fonseka - Sahabandu is a Fellow of the Trinity College, London and a Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music in both piano and singing.

In her career as a soprano singer she was recently invited the Neemrana Foundation to perform the role of the Frasquita in the opera Conman in New Delhi. Soundarie David Rodrigo who studied at the Royal College of Music played an active role both as a performer and an accompanist participating in the prestigious Piano Platform Series. Entrance for the concert is free.