The Chamber Music Society of Colombo, in association with the Goethe-Institut, Norwegian Composers Society and premier co-sponsors Baurs and Tokyo Cement Company, present Hans Sampath Blok, a Sri Lankan-born, Dutch-Norwegian trumpetist, conductor and composer.

With multiple degrees in performance and composition, his works are commissioned and performed by orchestras and ensembles throughout Europe. He conducts several contemporary music ensembles in Norway, and has been a guest conductor in Ecuador, Latvia and Malaysia. As a performer, Hans is mostly active in the early music and free improvisation scene. Besides modern trumpet, he also plays natural trumpet, trombone, horn, euphonium, cornetto and recorder.

Hans has given masterclasses in brass playing and improvisation at the festival of Latvian Classical Music over the last six years, with a similar programme in Ecuador and Malaysia. He also designed and developed the comprehensive music method “BrassClass” which is published for nearly all brass instruments in Norway and the Netherlands. Through the ages, the trumpet has often been regarded as an instrument that, with its sharp and penetrating sound, is best suited for ceremonial and military functions. Although recent composers have started to notice the sweeter side of the instrument, the bombastic image of the trumpet remains with the broader public.

On the 19th of November Hans Sampath Blok will perform a varied programme highlighting the lyrical side of the trumpet, his collaborator on the piano will be Johann Peiris, keyboardist with the CMSC. The Programme will include the music of Handel, Vivani, Franck, Albinoni, J.S. Bach, Goedicke and Stanley. The concert will be on the 19th of November, 7pm to 8:15pm, at the Goethe-Institut Hall, 39 Gregory’s Road, Colombo 07. Tickets @ Rs. 1500. Available from 8th November onwards at Goethe-Institute Gate. Un-reserved.