The acclaimed partnership between the Chamber Music Society of Colombo (CMSC) and the Goethe-Institut continues with the performance of Bela Bartók’s 44 Violin Duets on August 25 at 7pm. The concert will be held at the Goethe-Institut Hall.
The 44 Duos for Two Violins, Sz. 98, BB 104 is a series of duets composed in 1931 by
Hungarian Bela Bartók, one of the most influential 20th century composers.
The work was commissioned by Erich Doflein, a German violinist and teacher, who asked Bartók if he would arrange some of the pieces from the ‘For Children’ series. He composed other works in this period that were meant to be pedagogical, such as ‘Mikrokosmos.’ All of the 44 duos are based on folk music from many Eastern European countries, with distinctive Bartókian harmonic and rhythmic impact evident throughout the whole piece.
Moderating and performing will be the artistic director of the CMSC, Lakshman Joseph-de Saram and principals of the CMSC, Ursula Nelius, violin. Haasinee Andree, violin and Sulara Nanayakkara, violin. The duets will also feature select students of Ursula Nelius and Haasinee Andree.
Interspersing the Bartók will be the Neo-BaroqueViolin and Cello duets by Russian 20th century composer Reinhold Glière, performed by Lakshman Joseph-de Saram and Rochana Ramanayaka, cello. Tickets available at the Goethe-Institut.