Review:
Emerging Artistes Programme:
Outstanding performance to universal ovation
The much awaited Emerging Artistes Programme went under way with
offering a munificent array of performance at the Russian Cultural
Centre recently. It would be a feast for Sri Lankan audience as it is
rare that they have a classical music performance in the offing.
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Louis Page |
One of the stunning performances was the recital by Louis Page. Louis
Page began the recital with the short but beautiful Nocturne in F Major,
Op. 10, No. 1 by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, a perfect way for the
performer to gauge the instrument, audience and ambiance and his
reaction to it all.
Without a moment’s delay, he dove into the formidable Rhapsody in b
minor, Op. 79, No. 1, and the equally challenging Intermezzo in b-flat
minor, Op. 117, No. 2, both by Johannes Brahms. Here was playing of
surprising maturity.
The highlights of the performance were his interpretation of the
French Impressionists; first it was Reflets dans L’Eau and Claire de
Lune by Achille-Claude Debussy.
The elegance, the extreme lightness and the sound sphere of the
French school were so much in evidence here. He convinced you that he
‘understood’ the music, and was able to express that with charm and
confidence.
The Joseph-Maurice Ravel composed Sonatine in f-sharp minor was also
played with delightful nuance and delicacy.
The other high point was the Arietta con Variazioni in E-flat Major,
HobXVII: 3 by the classical master Joseph Haydn. This was piano playing
that was commanding even in the fastest passages. Musical structures
were played convincingly and with vivid clarity.
Where Page sounded slightly less successful, was when he delved into
the early and late Romantic repertoire. Franz Peter Schubert, Franz
Liszt and Moritz Moszkowski clearly did not seem like they were his
favourite composers.
There was a detachment that was palpable. But on the whole, Louis
Page Jr. performed with an air of calm and composure that conveyed a
real sense of sobriety and dignity.
He came across as most comfortable when sitting at the piano, coaxing
it to speak along with him. He did however project a tremendous feeling
of nervousness and anxiety when facing the audience between pieces.
Something we hope he will address in the future.
The Chamber Music Society of Colombo should be commended for
presenting a concert that once again, lifted the bar for classical music
concerts in Sri Lanka. Nowhere pinned onto the walls were the usual
satin banners proclaiming consumer products and 10 per cent discounts.
Instead, the audience was greeted with a lavish cascading flower
arrangement that spanned the entire length of the stage that was an
amazing sight to behold, never has the stage of the Russian Cultural
looked so elegant.
The ‘Meet the Artist’ reception immediately following the concert was
an added touch of largesse. Topping it off, the total proceeds of the
concert were donated to the Lanka Alzheimer’s Foundation. Bravo! to all
concerned.
“The primary goal of the ‘Emerging Artistes Programme’ is to advance
the creative growth of the gifted and dedicated new artiste,” says the
Chamber Music Society of Colombo’s Founder and Artistic Director,
Lakshman Joseph de Saram. “The idea is to help connect this next
generation of concert performer with discerning audiences.”
The ‘Emerging Artistes’ presented by the Chamber Music Society under
this new programme are described by Joseph de Saram as those who “have
spent most of their lives honing their musical and technical skills, and
have now reached a point where they are endowed with the considerable
discipline and proficiency it takes, to undertake a live performance
career, at national and international levels.”
By offering careful mentoring, and opportunities for private and
public performance, along with collaboration with established musicians,
the Chamber Music Society seeks to help further the interests of these
artistes in their exciting journey towards a rewarding career in the
performing arts.
Receiving an invitation from the Chamber Music Society of Colombo,
one can be assured of a classically inspired event of a very high
standard. And the inaugural Emerging Artistes Programme solo recital at
the Russian Cultural Centre featuring the pianist Louis Page Jr. was
certainly that. Page made his public debut on his return to Sri Lanka
after several years in California, USA, and Singapore, where he studied
music and fine-tuned his skills as a performer. He graduated from the
California Institute of Arts in 2006 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts
degree, majoring in Piano Performance.
Before that, he followed Performance Workshop sessions at the Los
Angeles Valley College. Page has performed solo recitals in Los Angeles,
Santa Monica and Sri Lanka and played with the Los Angeles Junior
Philharmonic Orchestra. His principal teachers included Bruce Sutherland
and Young Yoo.
Speaking of his student, Sutherland says, “He has always displayed a
natural aptitude for the instrument with threads of genius woven into
the final pianistic and musical result.” Ms. Yoo refers to Page as “one
of the most gifted students in several years I have taught.” Page has
recently recorded a CD featuring works by Moskovsky, Debussy, Liszt and
Schubert.
- Indeewara Thilakarathne and Ranga Chandrarathne
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