An Evening of Uplifting Music

‘Alleluja’ will be an Easter Recital performed by tenor, Asitha Tennekoon and organist, Denham Pereira.

When: Saturday the 26th of April    
Where: St. Andrew's Scots Kirk, Colombo 03
Time: 7:30pm – 8:30pm

The pair have worked together so many times that Tennekoon has stopped counting. “We both come from a similar musical background having been in the choir at S. Thomas' College years ago, so I find that we have similar expectations and a non-verbal understanding of how to approach and interpret any given piece.”  Tennekoon says, making it easy to see why the pair work so well together.

Celebrating the season of Easter with pleasant and introspective music, Tennekoon and Pereira have chosen works by J.S. Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, C.P.E. Bach, Willaim Mathias, John Stainer, and more. The pieces are delightful, “While there are some pieces which are more contemplative, many of them are light and buoyant and joyfully expressive. Denham and I keep pushing each other to see how fast we can perform them and it's a lot of fun!”

The music was chosen for two reasons, one of which being that among the flood of concerts that surround the season of Lent, very few, if any, are programmes consisting of classical music. The second reason, which Tennekoon says is as important as the first, is that audiences have not heard these pieces performed in Sri Lanka in a long while, if ever. This marks out the programme as unique.

Of course, the invitation is not extended just to those who celebrate Easter, but to all who appreciate classical music and wish to witness these brilliant works being performed. As Tennekoon explained, “Even though this is sacred music it is primarily classical music and will interest anyone who is curious or already loves the genre, regardless of their religious background.” The duo hope to “evoke an emotional response from” the audience with the “universal themes of joy, hope and sacrificial love.”

This music, exhilarating as it is, indeed transcends the lines we have drawn for ourselves. Their ultimate goal, then, is to let the music speak for itself. “There is a different message in each of these pieces for the audience. We don't know what that message will be to each person, but we will put the music across as best we can, and let the music speak that message to them.”

Programmes at Rs.700 will be available at the entrance on the 26th. To obtain programmes beforehand please email [email protected].

By Marissa van Eyck