A gem of innovative orchestration

Preview: Daya Samaranayake

MUSIC: Mihiripenna Ensemble will present a performance of Thiloka drums, with instrumental music at the Russian Cultural Centre, Torrington Mawatha, Colombo 7 on September 15 at 6.30 p.m.

Days before Pabalu's..... I met him causally and he gave me an inkling of what he proposed to do. Although I could not visualise what precisely he had in mind, his presentation was both exhilarating and entertaining.

For a moment, it looked as if the Percussion Drums presenter stole the show. He was flawless and seemed to be indulging in a 'one man show'.

Lack of expression

One obvious drawback, however, was the almost complete lack of expression in him despite the diverse variations and intricacies of percussion. Undoubtedly, expression is not easy to behold. Yet, a few singers have been trying to master it whereupon they virtually live the content of the song essentially through facial expression.

Among instrumentalists, expression is still more rare; a rare exception however is that of Pandit Ravi Shankar who transcends all others by blending his musical score with uncanny expression.

Herein, not only does the audience enjoy the rapture of the sitar, but also has the 'double happiness' of viewing the vivifying expression of the instrumentalist live.

As a keen observer of expression, I did catch a glimpse of the percussion drummer's expression rather late. He could certainly improve in the future.

It devolved on Pabalu to retrieve the monotony of percussion drums by his vivifying improvisation on the Latin American drums together with the violin, tabla and flute in fine harmony.

Pabalu overwhelmed the audience by his free and poignant expression and conduct of the orchestra.

The flautist was impressive as was the violinist though the latter's expression lacked precision. The tablist was relegated to the background.

Entertainment

In all, it was a fine evening's entertainment to lovers of music who are currently deprived of quality music. The content of the music was at times so rhythmic and overpowering that an element of dance could well have blended with it.

Hopefully, we may see it in future presentations as a new dynamic dimension. New content and reorientation would be eagerly awaited by a discerning public.

The review would be incomplete without a comment on the excellent compere of the programme who succeeded in boosting a novel programme in orchestration.

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