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Review:
YWCA celebrates 125th anniversary with gala concert
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Dr. Prashanthi Mendis
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Recently, an enjoyable concert of music, dance and fashion was held
at the Auditorium of the British School to celebrate the 125th
Anniversary of the Colombo Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA).
"Kaleidoscope" was indeed an evening of:
Sounds of bass and treble combined in chords unbroken
Harmonies of choirs and instrument music
To echo moments of music and song
And fill the air with joy.
The best musical item in the programme that astounded the audience
and "stole the show" is Dr. Prashanthi Mendis' virtuoso performance on
the Caribbean steel drums. She truly displayed her unique performing
artistry and mastery of the steel drum mallet technique.
Her superb renditions of Rudolph Siecynski's "Vienna, City of my
dreams", Sunil Santha's "Handapane" and Joe Garland's "In the Mood"
represented three different cultures. It evinced not only her
versatility but also the versatility of these melodic drums. Prashanthi
was professionally accompanied on the piano by the well-known Leader of
"Friends in Harmony" - Indrani Wijesundera.
They set the tone for a delightful evening of variety entertainment
and inspired the audience to clap right throughout and participate in
the pulsating rhythm of "In the Mood".
The memory of her artistry will linger on in the hearts of those who
were present that evening.
Another performing artiste who stole the hearts of the audience is
the talented concert flautist and multi-faceted award winner in piano,
flute, violin and recorder - Sureka Amerasinghe.
Her brilliant performance of Bricialdi's Variations on Carnival of
Venice on the flute with great skill and expertise was also an item one
would long remember. It is heartening to note that she has shared her
talent with her students and produced many winners at examinations and
competitions in her twelve-year teaching career.
This concert included beautiful renditions by the famous male voice
choral ensemble - "The Revelations" matched by Sri Lanka's premier all
female choir - "Soul Sounds".
The brilliant unaccompanied renditions of the Gold Medal Champion of
Asian Choir Games (held in Indonesia - 2007) - The Revelations"
including "Dream a Little Dream" and "It Had To Be You" displayed
originality in their harmonious blend of male voices with toe-tapping
rhythm.
As usual, Soul Sounds Choir, led by the accomplished pianist and
musician - Soundarie David sang solemnly and well. The soloist in the
"Impossible dream" was particularly effective and inspiring.
Although happy strains were selected for the Viennese Waltz and
Latin-American dance presentations by the Students of Antonio's Dance
Circle, both dance items were a little disappointing if we are to quip
that dancing is the 'poetry of movement'.
The two-piano renditions of Dilip Seneviratne and Yohan de Alwis and
also Sureka's piano solo were not acoustically effective perhaps due to
the fact that the pianos were not placed on the stage from which other
performing artistes benefited immensely.
Buddhi Batiks should be commended for the fashions displayed on the
occasion. The beautiful array of silk sarees which one could wear of an
evening for colour and design were carried off elegantly by the models.
Eshantha de Andrado who manages the Auditorium of the British School
provided a fitting finale by singing Frank Sinatra's signature tune -
"My Way" in his special style and endorsed the style of all performing
artistes who did it their way to provide a delightful evening of variety
entertainment.
Being a participant at the 125th Anniversary celebrations of the
Colombo YWCA was time well spent. Last but not the least, a big thank
you should be accorded to the President of the Colombo YWCA - Manel
Abeysekera and her Committee for their untiring efforts and organising
skill without which this memorable evening of music, dance and fashion
would not have been possible.
Kumari Naganathan |
