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| Monday, 27 December 2004 |
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Shani and Eric-Maria in concert: Two virtuoso hearts orchestrating as one by Gwen Herat Music comes from their hearts and minds and flow on to each vein to vibrate and create brilliance and when they play at concert, they become one. What a wonderful duo, young and full of promise on their way to more glory and recognition. This was apparent when Shani and Eric-Maria was in concert at the Colombo Plaza last week on a brief stop over from Monaco and what a delightful evening it was. If passion rain high among the audience, Shani gave the precedence and spellbound the lot. A simple, retiring young woman, Shani could have been anybody's role model sister but she quickly transformed herself into a gusto-filled virtuoso, thrashing the piano with crescendo in the opening solo of Sonata Appassionata Opus 57 by Beethoven, selecting Allegro Assai, the one Shani brought down the roof with her accurate keyboard handling. She switched on Andante Con Moto with tenderness and passion, caressing the keys softly as though she would hurt them. It was a definite contrast and as she moved over to Allegro Ma Nontroppo, the combination of both, emerged. Lost in her world for the moment, Shani displayed what virtuosos are made of Shani was joined by her equally talented husband, Eric-Maria on the cello to render Sonata No. 1 E. Minor Opus 38 by Brahms and the last Movement was dominated by Eric-Maria while she supported him on the piano. Allegro Ma Non Troppo saw the best of the pair in harmony and how this duo related to each other. Joahnnes Brahms (7-5-1833) to 3-4-1897) was a fine choice of a composer for the piano/cello combination. It took twenty years for Brahms to bring his First Symphony to the concert platform. Possessed and influenced by Schuman and his pianist wife Clara Schuman, Brahms fell in love with her after his death but his offer of marriage to Clara was turned down. Devastated by her death in 1896, Brahms died of cancer year later.
The soulful music was an outcome of this tragic and sensitive involvement, can be traced in the First Movement in Sonata No. 1 E. Minor Opus 38. Brahms also had a nervous breakdown and tried suicide. Shani and Eric-Maria perhaps would have been aware of this factor when they played Allegro Ma Mon Troppo because there was a sense of revere and adoration. But then, Brahms was a creator of powerful absolute music with great intensity and beauty. His work balanced between romantic impulse and austere classical training, resulting in magnificent piano quintet. The scoring of Beethoven was perhaps what the audience came to hear and Shani kept up to her promise with passion and vigour. Better known for his Missa Solemnis and the Minth Symphony, Ludwig van Beethoven (16-12-1770 to 26-3-l817) made his final music statement to the public with ninth symphony. His music bestrides over two centuries. It is also heart-warming to remember and hear Beethoven being played during this Christmas for his solitary oratorio Christ on the Mount of Olives. Sonata Appassionata Opous b7 was composed in 1804 and one will find a touch of Flemish aura about it because Beethoven was born Flemish. In 1793, he composed a host of piano works. His major contribution were in the field of string quartet. While playing at a concert in Prague in 1796, he felt a buzzing in his ear. Two years later, deafness overtook him, forcing him to use a ear trumpet and leave behind the manuscript of his SYMPHONY No. 3 OP 55 EROICA in the Gisellschaft der Musikfeunde in Vienna. I do not know whether this has been published for performing. After the intermission THREE ETUDES of Cramer/Beethoven gripped the audience as Shani caressed the keys so professionally only to be joined by her husband on the cello the THREE FANTASIESTUCKE OPUS 73 by Schumann. A beautiful, romantic composer, Robert Schumann (8-6-1810 to 29-7-1856) scored these works in 1873 and tonight's playing would have even warmed the heart of this great Master if he lived to hear them played centuries later. With a brilliant coordination that comes only with dedication and meticulous understanding, these two virtuoso performing artistes, naturally motivate each other to surface each other's talent. Robert Schumann like this couple, was ably supported by his gifted wife, pianist, Clara. They wrapped up the day's programme with Schumann's ADAGIO AND ALLEGRO but not with an appreciative crowd calling for more and graciously obliged a scoring by Rakhmaninov. BALLADE No. 4 in F MINOR by Chopin found its way into my heart with warmth because this icon composer is very special to me owing to his scoring of LES SYLPHIDES ballet which was immortalised by Rudolf Nureyev. Though composed for orchestration and the quality was beyond the grasp of Chopin himself but Shani did him proud, gently but surely exploding the keyboard. I remember as a student getting enthraled when these were played by Malini Jayasinghe Pieris. Fredrick Chopin (1-3-1810 to 17-10-1849) considered as a Master to have left behind the richest and most influential legacy in the piano repertoire in the history of music, was no wonder Shani's choice to play with passion and dignity. As a Sri Lankan, I was proud of her. Through the classical and romantic periods to the new millennium, classical music has upheld the social and artistic milieux in which they existed, scored by great Masters to influence and help shape their music for artistes like Shani and Eric-Maria to carry on the tradition and bind each country to another in the language of music with others like them. In a society where young people gloat on 'rubbishy' pop music that are loud and unclear, some reaching the helm of great noice with no identity in instrumentation, classical music is a soothing factor to the mind of the stressed world. It may have begun with a marginal interest but classical music has turned to the better with deep and rewarding experiences to all and sundry and its popularity is provided the proliferation of recorded music through various mediums. Sri Lanka has been blessed with her own lot of performing artistes who have done the country proud and the tradition will continue, I hope without the invasion of other forms. After Malini Jayasinghe Peiris, Shani is the best I have heard at the keyboard not only because of her playing but the manner in which she plays, full of feeling, full of passion and homage to those who scored them. But in his oration to the audience preceding the concert which he presented tonight, impresario, Mano Chanmugam sounded a sad note that is both truthful and hurtful on concerts of this nature when he said that unfortunately, never play to a packed house but I did spot many important people in this industry present. Though crest-fallen, there is a ray of hope in great people like Mano Chanmugam who himself is wonderful pianist and Sharmila Tudawe to keep the torch burning as well as Colombo Plaza for more support. Everything said and done, we need a team like this to bring down international artistes like Shani and Eric-Maria all the way from Monaco. They all played an important part for the memorable evening's concert. It was great and high-profile, very professional to the point. |
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