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| Monday, 20 September 2004 |
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High scorers' concert: Satish Casie Chetty high on monti Reviewed by Gwen Herat From Haydn to Bach; Dvorak to Chopin; Brahms to Beethoven. Yes, all the Masters were making their presence felt at the High Scorers Concert as the young debuted at the Bishop's College Auditorium on Sunday presented by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (Sri Lanka chapter). It was an evening of experience the young shared with the elders. Decades ago when I was a student of the Royal College of Music, studies were not motivated towards presentations of the kind I saw tonight and confined to studies and examinations and may be a school concert or two. But today's youngsters are lucky with patrons like Mano Chanmugam whose cause for uplift of this wonderful performing art, has reached dizzy heights. Improvised, graded clearly and importance placed on a greater number of instruments apart from the piano. In fact, from today's ensemble, there were so much variety, one could form a youthful symphony orchestra aimed at the future (though in the absence of several wind instruments). This institute is thoroughly professional and the young mind is trained on these lines. Much like classical ballet, early years are the most crucial at training. One wrong move by the teacher, will have great repercussion on the career of a brilliant musician or ballerina. Putting through their natural aptitudes should be the guideline, nurturing and allowing a youngster to enjoy what she/he do will make them professionals in the future. This was very apparant in the High Scorers of the Royal School of Music. It was obvious that strict discipline but caring and dedicated efforts instilled by this association has its presence on the young musicians. They are full of promise with wonderful dreams of their own for the future. And as little Yassasavi Siriwardena took her bow to play Haydn, a spell was cast over the audience. Her confidence on stage, passed over to the other performers. All were naturals in their own youthful way and while it is difficult to pic the best from an array of such talent, I think the best for the evening was Monti's Czardas, intimately played by Satish Casie Chetty on the violin as at Grade V. It was romantic, passionate with shudders of human stirring. Here is a little guy who is going to make it great on the international stage if given the opportunity. He woke up a nodding audience when he raised the bow. Stephen Heller's Avalanche was performed articulately at the Piano by the young Grade 2, Karen Swaminathan. As expected, she reached crescendo while her little fingers flew over the keys at great speed. Anton Dvorak's Humareske Op. 101-No. 7 with Grade 3 Kisholi Mthiaparanam at the piano brought back memories as this was a favourite during my study of music. Contrary to the fiery Avalanche, Schubert's Serenade, was lilting soft and very soothing as played in duet by High Scorers Grade 2 Suddhamika Jayanetti and Grade 3 Karina Butcher, both on cello. Schubert comes easily to the young because of his passionate scoring but he died very early in life at 31 years of age after writing the String Quintet. At fourteen he wrote his first song. Had he lived longer, he would have been on par with Beethoven or Mozart. Chief guest and examiner-ABRSM, David Bridle aptly rendered a symphonic address to the young achievers and the audience. Crisp, to the point, he said what he was deemed to say on the occasion and it was wonderful words of wisdom to the young aspiring. The Sri Lankan representative of the ABRSM and a much revered Patron of the Arts, was his usual self, relaxed, witty, catchy and eloquent. These are the signature of Mano Chanmugam who alone can commission an evening of youthful extravaganza. To finish off the evening in style, three young virtuosos in the making, made their mark. They were Devini Senaratne grade 8 at the piano with Brahms' Rhapshody in G minor Op. 79, Asitha Tennakone (Diploma ABRSM) brilliantly at the piano stirring the genius of Rachmavinov's Prelude No. 5 Op. 23 and Nuwan Senaratne LRSM caressed the strains of Chopin on the keyboard with Ballade in G Minor. A great evening dedicated to the youth. |
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