For the first time - a two piano recital

by Mahes PERERA

"Musical Colours on Two Pianos" will be an evening of mesmerising music from the works of Mendelssohn, Rachmaninov, Brahms and Gershwin performed by Ramya De Livera Perera and Soundarie David Rodrigo. The concert will be at the Lionel Wendt Theatre on September 29 at 7.30 p.m.

Ramya de Livera and Soundarie David

Both performers are acknowledged and famous artists in the classical music scene here in Sri Lanka and aficionados of classical music are assured of excellence in performance considering the fact that this is the first time a two piano recital is being staged.

Speaking with Ramya de Livera Perera we asked her why the two of them selected works by these particular composers?

"The composers used the various range of the piano to explore the range of colours that they need for the compositions. It was interesting to us and for a performance of this nature. The range of music for two pianos like the top register produces brittle or gentle cascading tones while the middle register is a warmer kind of richness and we like to experience this with our audience."

Could you elaborate on the selection of your programme?

"We are playing the Prelude in C Sharp Minor by Rachmaninov a posthumous composition which is a good example of using the two pianos from its depth to right up to the overtones that can be produced in the top register. The piece is a good example of the richness of harmony combined with colour.

Actually we are opening our programme with Brahms' Variations from a theme by Haydn, arranged by the composer. He exploits the various rhythms and interweaves the melodies and puts the whole piece into a romantic idiom. The popular Paganini Variations composed by Lutoslawski is a demanding and virtuostic piece and a challenge to interpret. On the lighter side we have selected Scaramouche by Delius Milhaud. In this Suite consisting of three dances there is a lot of interplay between the two pianos and contains rhythm and is melodic. Of course we cannot leave out the compositions of George Gershwin. We are playing piano works by him specially arranged for two pianos by Paul Posnak."A two piano recital is a different kind of excitement and this recital is significant because it is a 'first' of its kind and Soundarie David Rodrigo was her pupil. "You gain from your pupil. It's a good feeling, demanding but the sheer love of playing together means that we find the time to rapport with one another," comments Ramya de Livera.

Soundarie David Rodrigo confesses she is honoured to be playing this recital with Ramya her teacher." This is my first time on two pianos. Recently we performed a duet on one piano and that gave us the incentive to explore a two piano recital. The first time I attended a two piano recital was when Ramya performed with Teo Lilin, which was held at the Colombo Hilton, I was quite young and was fascinated then by their performance. For this recital we chose the works together. We went through all her music in her cupboard. We literally ransacked her cupboard played the music as we picked it up in order to get a balance in the programme.

The second half of the programme is relatively much lighter. We had the audience in mind. A two piano recital leans heavily on understanding and trust in each other and thus you are motivated to give of your best. I'm looking forward to performing this recital on two pianos with Ramya de Livera Perera," concludes Soundarie David.