A DELIGHTFUL EVENING OF SONGS WAS PRESENTED BY THE COLOMBO PHILHARMONIC CHOIR

By Dr. Prashanthi Mendis
Ethnomusicologist and Lawyer

An absolutely delightful evening of songs was presented by The Colombo Philharmonic Choir under the able guidance and vision of the Director and Conductor, Harin Amirthanathan, on September 17 at St. Andrew’s Scots Kirk (Church), Galle Road, Colombo.

The Programme was well-researched and beautifully summarized with notes about the composers and the songs by Harin Amirthanathan for and greater appreciation by the audience. It served as a pre-concert guide as well as a lovely souvenir of the concert. His research and knowledge would have enhanced the Philharmonic Choir’s understanding of the correct background and the intent of the composer. The ultimate success of the choral performance hinges on the emotional impact of the of the songs on the audience. This was achieved by the Director and Conductor of The Colombo Philharmonic Choir with aplomb.

Speaking for myself, the perfect synergy between the Conductor (with appropriate movements, emotion and facial expressions), The Colombo Philharmonic Choir and the professional accompaniment by Dilan Angunawela on the Yamaha Grand Piano combined with the sublime acoustics of St. Andrew’s Scots Kirk Church (without the use of sound equipment) was an unforgettable experience which will remain in my subconscious mind forever. This experience was further enhanced by the brilliant cello renditions of Tamara Holsinger which not only provided a short break for the singers, but also provided an additional soul-touching experience.

This concert began with six cheerful songs of the English Romantic Composer – Edward Elgar – From the Bavarian Highlands, Op.27, namely (1) The Dance, (2) False Love, (3) Lullaby, (4) Aspiration, (5) On the Alm, (6) The Marksman. Inspired by the happy memories of their holiday in the Bavarian Highlands and the folk melodies, songs, dances and landscapes of Bavaria, the lyrics were written by Alice Elgar and they were set to music effectively by her husband, Edward Elgar.

The next rendition by The Colombo Philharmonic Choir was Brahms: Sechs Quartette, Op. 112a (First Part) based on the poems of Franz Kugler, and was sung in German. (English translation was provided in the programme notes for the benefit of the audience). As the programme notes indicate “The Kugler settings are the darkest and most profound of all his vocal quartets”.

This was followed by the Tamara Holsinger’s beautiful cello rendition of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Vocalise, Op. 34, No. 14 for cello and piano.

The other songs that followed are Stephen Chatman’s “Hush, Hush” from Dawn of the Night, No. 2 (with Tamara Holsinger on the cello), Ola Gjielo’s Northern Lights, Eric Witacre’s Sing Gently, Morten Loridsen’s Sure on this Shining Night (from which the title of the programme is derived) and Dan Forrest’s Good Night, Dear Heart – a fitting finale of the programme.

The Programme’s title is derived from the song – SURE ON THIS SHINING NIGHT by Morten Loridsen, who was a great composer, performer and educator. The Conductor, The Colombo Philharmonic Choir and the piano accompanist, Dilan Angunawela did justice to the title of this programme by their extraordinary renditions.

I am sure that the brilliant renditions of these charming “short and sweet” songs by The Colombo Philharmonic Choir with appropriate emotional depth, dynamics and facial expressions will linger on in the memories of the audience for a long time.

It was indeed a memorable evening of well-selected songs which entertained and gripped the audience from the beginning to the end. The concert on the whole was a grand success on all counts and of international standard.

Bravo and Congratulations! Harin Amirthanathan and The Colombo Philharmonic Choir for a job well done and also to Dilan Angunawela and Tamara Holsinger for their expert piano accompaniment and cello renditions.