Guest Conductor Keiko Kobayashi conducts SOSL at 20th Concert

The very first Guest Conductor Concert by the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka for 2016 will enjoy the nuances steeped in the baton of renowned Japanese conductor Keiko Kobayashi as she takes on a complex yet popular repertoire comprising works by Mendelssohn, Prokofiev and Beethoven. The concert, scheduled for Saturday 20 February at the Ladies’ College Hall will have the added musical delight of Shanthi Dias nee Thamber as she returns her first love music and the familiar precincts of playing with the SOSL. The titled soloist at this concert, she will perform Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No 5 in E-flat major, Opus 73, the Emperor, fittingly paying tribute to this great Master’s most renowned and most frequently performed concerto. 

Shanthi has proven her stature repeatedly at the ivories and will undoubtedly do justice to the majesty that resonates in this concerto, Beethoven’s last, which he penned in Vienna and dedicated to Archduk Rudolf, his patron and pupil. Together with Shanthi, the SOSL will perform the three movements in the Concerto, Allegro in E-flat major, Adagio un poco mosso in B major and Rondo: Allegro ma non troppo in E-flat major. 

Keiko has conducted the Tokyo City Philharmonic Orchestra, Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra, Hiroshima Symphony Orchestra, Japan Century Symphony Orchestra, Shizuoka Symphony Orchestra, New National Theatre Tokyo and the Soai Orchestra on tour in China and Italy among others. She debuted in Europe with Bizet’s opera, The Fair Maid of Perth at the Hallwyl Opera Festival in Switzerland. She also performed at the Festival with Smetana’s The Bartered Bride in 2009 and Rossini’s The Barber of Seville in 2012. A regular guest conducted in both Sri Lanka and India, this prize winning conductor is the Chief Conductor of the Japan Wind Ensemble and Resident Conductor of the Tokyo Wind Symphony Orchestra.  

Under Keiko’s expert ear and baton, the SOSL begins its program with Felix Mendelssohn’s ebullient overture Ruy Blas Opus 95. Aptly described as imbuing spontaneity in the melodic flow, Keiko will optimise on the SOSL’s versatility in showcasing the freshness and brilliance in the orchestration of this, one of Mendelssohn’s most popular works. 

The finale will be Sergei Prokofiev’s most performed ‘drambalet’ the Romeo and Juliet Suites, with its characteristic hot and heady style, giving full expression to this great composer’s lyrical genius. Based on William Shakespeare’s legendary romantic play, Suite No 1 Opus 64bis and Suite No 2 Opus 64ter gains inspiration from the diversity in its art forms; the balletic rhythms, grace, effervescence and vivid emotive mood painting with healthy doses of 20th century astringent harmony. 

Tickets can be purchased online at takas.lk. The concert is co-sponsored by Hemas, Hirdaramani and Chinese Dragon, while Keiko’s travel is sponsored by SriLankan Airlines with electronic media sponsors being Yes FM, TV1 and Legends.