He always encourages the youth to better their skills in music and is ever ready to provide whatever guidance he can, to build a younger generation of passionate classical musicians
‘Resurrection and Enigma: Introducing Mahler and Elgar’ a concert of classical music will go on stage on August 28th evening at Nawarangahala (Royal College Auditorium). The maiden production of the Gustav Mahler Society of Colombo (GMSC), it will showcase the talents of two young achievers Srimal Weerasinghe, the conductor and Rachel Halliday, the soloist. Young Voice met Srimal and Rachel to get their views on GMSC and the concert and to find out a little more about them.
Srimal, what lead you to create GMSC?
It is my belief that the creation of a professional orchestra in Sri Lanka, to spearhead the revitalization of Classical music in this country, can and will break social barriers that have unfortunately limited the reach of Classical music to Colombo, and it is to realize this vision, that the GMSC was created. The objectives of establishing the Gustav Mahler Society of Colombo are threefold. Performance, education and outreach. Through the performance aspect, we hope to increase the opportunities available to musicians to perform Classical music, regardless of their musical experience or background and also raise the standard of the Classical music performances in this country. The society hopes to reignite the local audience’s interest in Classical music, by exploring more challenging and technically demanding pieces from the vast Classical music repertoire, and sharing with the audience, the selfsame works of music, that made us fall in love with the symphony.
By making these concerts easily accessible to students, we hope to inspire the youth to boldly pursue their interests in Classical music, and join us in inspiring the future generations to do the same. Through outreach aspect, the society hopes to extend its membership following its inaugural concert, to financiers and fellow musicians, plans to take Classical music outside this country’s commercial capital, encouraging its members to conduct music lessons outside Colombo. The society not only performs but also gives those outside Colombo an opportunity to be a part of an orchestra, by performing with us, and hopefully, thus inspire them to eventually form their own orchestra outstation.
Where did your love for music begin?
My career in music began rather accidentally to be honest. I failed art in middle school and therefore I had to choose western music as my basket subject for my O Levels. I began learning the piano with Mrs. Priyanthi Perera and I was roped into playing recorder for the school band. Subsequently my teacher told me to play another instrument and for some reason I chose the Oboe and just started playing. It was the moment I heard Mahler’s 6th symphony, that I fell in love with symphony, and knew for certain I wanted to pursue orchestral music and conducting.
Who would you say is your greatest inspiration?
Sir Manilal Weerakoon is my inspiration and my role model. He is, in my opinion, the best conductor in Sri Lanka, and not only that, he is also an extremely humble and down to earth person. He always encourages youth to better their skills in music and is ever ready to provide whatever guidance he can, to build a younger generation of passionate classical musicians.
Why did you pick this particular program for the inaugural concert of the GMSC?
I picked two works by Mahler, one a lieder and the other, a symphony. Mahler’s works are reputed for their technical difficulty. He pushed the boundaries of orchestral music, created some of the most demanding symphonic works and in so revolutionizing the orchestra, was able to extract from them, a brilliant sound, quite unlike anything heard before. Another reason I picked the Mahler symphony, was because it is in line with the GMSC’s goal to expand the Classical music repertoire and will mark the first time a Mahler symphony will be performed in Sri Lanka.
Elgar’s ‘Enigma Variations’, will be performed on local soil, for the first time in over a decade. Finally, I chose Mozart’s overture to “The Magic Flute”, in order to create a balanced programme, with familiar as well as new pieces, in order to better engage with our audience.
What are your personal aspirations?
I only want to see a professional orchestra established, an open, non-exclusive, orchestra, where opportunities are given to anyone who shows interest in music, to pursue their dream, to remove the divisions that have limited Classical music to a single district.
Rachel, where did your love of music begin?
I come from a musical family. My father used to play Clarinet with the orchestra. I grew up with classical music both at home and at school, so it was reinforced in me throughout the years. My first experience of singing with an orchestra, came in 2002, when I was part of the symphony orchestra choir, that performed Haydn’s ‘Creation’, under the baton of Mr. Lalanath de Silva. Since then I have been involved with the symphony, albeit not as a vocalist. It just made me more and more in love with Classical music.
Why did you choose Opera singing?
I started singing lessons with Mrs. Menaka De Fonseka Sahabandu. That was where I was really introduced to Operatic singing. I realized that was what I wanted to do. I suppose the drama of the Opera attracted me. I had played the part of Queen Boadicea in an Operetta in school, and I remember thoroughly enjoying all the elements of it, the singing, the drama, the extraordinary plot lines, an almost trademark feature of Classical Operas really, and I suppose it’s no wonder that I was immediately drawn to the Opera.
I have to thank Madame Barbara Segal, who has been my mentor and support for the past three years. She helped me increase my knowledge on Opera and its interpretation. She also helped me identify my vocal category, and what pieces are ideal for my type of voice.
Do you have a favourite Opera, and is there an Operatic singer that you aspire to be like?
My favourite Opera is “Cavalleriarusticana” by Pietro Mascagni. I have long admired Italian Coloratura Mezzo Soprano, Cecelia Bartoli, and French countertenor Philippe Jaroussky.