It’s with immense pleasure that I pen these words for the souvenir of the "Romantic Masterworks" concert performed tonight by the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka. The Norwegian Embassy is indeed glad to be a part of this awe-inspiring concert at which emotional and picturesque expression would take precedence over form and structure.
I am especially pleased about the inclusion of the enchanting pieces, Morning and In the Hall of the Mountain King, which are two of the most acclaimed works of Grieg’s ever popular Peer Gynt Suites, in the concert agenda. Though the great composer Edward Grieg is from Norway his works of great atmosphere, poetry and passion transcend geographical boundaries through melody and of impressionistic sound painting.. He was asked in 1874 by Henrik Ibsen to compose incidental music for his dramatic poem Peer Gynt, about an 18th century adventurer around whom many legends grew. When it was first staged two years later it made Grieg a national icon.
I am pleased to mention that this concert is an activity under the Norway- Sri Lanka three-year music cooperation. In August 2009, music cooperation was established between Sri Lanka and Norway based on an initiative of the Royal Norwegian Embassy. The cooperation was established with the aim of stimulating musical performing arts in Sri Lanka through international exchange while respecting and preserving traditional Sri Lankan musical expressions.
The Symphony Orchestra is one partner that the Embassy is working under this cooperation among many others such as the Ministry of cultural affairs, the Ministry of Education, universities and artistes from distant areas. This cooperation provides the opportunity of stimulating musical performing arts in Sri Lanka by providing opportunities for learning, performance etc..
This is the second event for this year that the Symphony Orchesta has conducted under the Music Cooperation. The successful workshop conducted in April for school children in Galle provided a good opportunity for students of the Southern Province to experience live western classical music and to learn of the instruments, conductors and learn about the styles of the music performed, through detailed explanations given by the performing musicians.
We always believed that Music is a universal language that transcends boundaries and bond people even thousands of miles apart, bridging gaps existing between people.
We have built up a very healthy and long lasting relationship with the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka. I would like to thank the organisation for its cooperation and effort in organizing an event of this magnitude.
I am sure we all will enjoy this evening.