The Chamber Music Society of Colombo (CMSC) March Diversions

Celebrating over ten years of un-broken collaboration and music making at the Goethe-Institut, Colombo, the Chamber Music Society of Colombo (CMSC) is proud to continue the series of chamber music concerts on the 25th & 26th of March at 7 pm. The Goethe Hall will be alive with the sounds of Joseph Haydn, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, a rare transcription for strings of the first movement of Mahler’s 4th Symphony, and selections from Peter Warlock’s Elizabethan Song Book for voice and strings, sung by Harin Amirthanathan, the Society’s chorus-master. 

Franz Joseph Haydn: Divertimento in D. Hob. III D.3 (Erdmann). 

Haydn’s early divertimenti reveal roots in the Baroque world he knew so well, including beautifully eloquent slow movements for solo violin. They also offer sufficient evidence of the young composer’s ability of invention and commitment to experimenting, both in terms of form (the minuets suggestive of those in much later symphonies) and instrumentation. 

Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges: String quartet no. 4. 

A dazzling swordsman, polymath, violin virtuoso, and composer, Saint-Georges might well lay claim to being one of the most accomplished figures in an age of remarkable individuals. The string quartet was still in its infancy in France in the 1770s, but while these works are modest in scale, they are exceptionally rewarding. Saint-Georges appreciated the intimate nature of this genre, avoiding overt soloistic virtuosity and scrutinising subtle chamber music timbres, he amply illustrates his abundant lyrical gifts and a natural ability to charm performers and audiences alike.

Peter Warlock: Elizabethan Songs. Warlock’s music, more often than not, shows the influence of Elizabethan music, of Delius, and (especially in counterpoint) of Bernard van Dieren, all integrated into a distinctly personal idiom. His songs, which form the largest part of his compositions, are admired for their homogeneity of music and text, melodic value, and uncommon harmonies. Even in its original form, Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 4 is his most compact symphony: the 3 or 4 wind instruments and the complete exclusion of trombones and tuba seem relatively austere in view of his other symphonic instrumentation requirements. This intriguing adaptation of the first movement was commissioned for an advanced conductors workshop in New York City and loaned to us for this concert. Performing will be principal players of the CMSC, Lakshman Joseph-de Saram, violin, Cynthia Fernando, violin, Sulara Nanayakkara, violin, Othman Hassan Majid, viola, Rochana Ramanayaka, violoncello, Nilanthi Weerakoon, contrabass. The programme will be moderated by the artistic director of the CMSC, Lakshman Joseph-de Saram. This concert is generously supported by premium sponsors A. Baurs & Co., and Tokyo Cement Group.

Tickets at 1500/- un-reserved. Available at the Goethe-Institut Library 
(13 March onwards: Monday – Friday 9.30 – 18:00)