The Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka in collaboration with the Earle de Fonseka Trust will present an evening of Russian masterpieces at the Lionel Wendt Theatre, Tuesday May 2, 7 p.m.
The spectacular Russian classical music will feature the Russian pianist Maxim Puryzhinskiy, Sri Lankan violinist Ananda Dabare and cellist Dushyanthi Perera. Discerning music lovers will enjoy the music of the composers who belong to the Romantic period – Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky.
Maxim Puryzhinskiy who is in Sri Lanka for the second time will commence the program for the evening with Tchaikovsky’s The Seasons Opus 37 A No.5 ‘May’. Also known as Starlit Nights, the piece is a poignant reverie of the 12 months in its changing seasons. He will continue his performance with Rachmaninoff’s most famous composition Prelude in C Sharp Minor Op 3 No.2, one of the 24 preludes composed for piano in all the major and minor keys.
Ananda Dabare will be accompanied by Maxim Puryzinskiy in Tchaikovysky’s Meditation in D Minor from Souvenir d’un lieu cher, Opus 42 No 1 which is the set of three pieces in the Memory of a Dear Place.
Cellist Dushyanthi Perera will be accompanied by Puryzhinskiy in Rachmaninoff’s Vocalise, one of the series from ‘Fourteen Songs’ written prior to the composer leaving Russia. Originally, the piece was written for voice and piano. Dushyanthi and Maxim bring out the deeply moving nostalgic atmosphere of the melody which is best revealed with the stringed instrument supported by piano.
The trio’s final selection will be Tchaikovskys Piano Trio in A Minor Opus 50, which to date is hailed as one of the greatest compositions written for piano, violin and cello. Tchaikovsky dedicated this composition to his friend Nicolai Rubinstein and the piece has been described as “sumptuous, sensitive and intense.”