Joyous music and Christmas cheer at SOSL Christmas Concert

Be swathed in the joyous melodies of Christmas at the much awaited SOSL Christmas Concert on 12 December, ringing in the festive season with much gladness and exultation. While the orchestra is tuned to perform their very best under the baton of Conductor Dushy Perera, the melodious voices of the Mary Anne David Chorale and extraordinary flair, while soloist Soundarie David Rodrigo’s wizardry on the ivories, makes the concert even more special.

To be held within the familiar surrounds of the air-conditioned Ladies’ College Hall, the multi-talented musicians of the Symphony Orchestra will showcase an inimitable program of both traditional and contemporary festive favourites, light classics and Latin Gold. From Chopin’s Military Polonaise to Emmanuel Chabrier’s Danse Slave, Jacob Gade’s Tango Jalousie to Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh Ride and Paul Lavender’s arrangement of Latin Gold, the music that night is guaranteed to give everyone a magical dose of Christmas enchantment.  

Directed by one of Sri Lanka’s most renowned Choral Directors, the Mary Anne David Chorale will undoubtedly compliment the SOSL with entrancing music.  They add their signature piece of Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus, as well as Adolphe Adams’ captivating O Holy Night, Leroy Anderson’s Christmas Festival, Gloria Shayne Baker’s Do You Hear What I Hearand Jazz Gloria by Natalie Sleeth into their repertoire. A rousing sing-along of both traditional and contemporary Christmas fare including Winter Wonderland, Let it snow, Rudolph and O Come All Ye Faithful, is guaranteed to swing the audience into the Christmas spirit!

The highlight undoubtedly will be Soundarie David Rodrigo’s rendition of the 1924 musical composition of American composer George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.  One of the most popular works in the entire repertoire, this piece, full of catchy tunes and jazz rhythms demands tremendous technique and flair, skills that Soundarie has in abundance.  It was scored for solo piano and jazz band by Gershwin, but for the premier performance in 1924, where Gershwin performed as soloist, the music was orchestrated by Ferde Gorfé, Whiteman’s personal arranger

Tickets go on sale from 26 November at tickets.lk and Sarasavi Bookshop Nugegoda and Maharagama, Tickets.lk office at Jawatte Road, Yamaha Music Centre and Abans main showroom. The principal sponsor is Link Natural Products, while SAGT is co-sponsor and Electronic Media sponsors are MTV, YES FM and LEGENDS 96.6.