East meets West with SSO’s Vibrant Light
*Video courtesy of Symphony Tacoma (2019 performance of Concerto for Tabla and Orchestra)
“I feel lucky I have music because it allows me to achieve a balance that has eluded me in regular life.”
Dinuk Wijeratne has always been caught between two worlds.
“Not a day goes by where I feel either completely eastern or fully western,” he says. “I feel lucky I have music because it allows me to achieve a balance that has eluded me in regular life.”
That balance will be on full display as Juno award winner Wijeratne takes the stage with the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra as conductor and featured composer in its upcoming performance Vibrant Light.
Wijeratne says music has been a way for him to celebrate his Eastern roots and Western classical influences. (Michelle Doucette)
Born in Sri Lanka, raised in Dubai, Wijeratne trained in England and New York and has focused his creative energy on blending the musical traditions that made him. In this performance, he will bring his Concerto for Tabla & Orchestra to life. The tabla is a North Indian twin hand drum that’s always enchanted him. For this performance, he’s bringing Canada’s leading ambassador of the tabla, Shawn Mativetsky along for the ride.
“He’s one of the very few tabla players that reads western classical notation. He can navigate the worlds of eastern and western music with ease.”
“I’m obsessed with the tabla. I can’t play it but it was in my ears in my childhood,” says Wijeratne. “Shawn is an incredible player and he’s one of the very few tabla players that reads western classical notation. He can navigate the worlds of eastern and western music with ease.”
Mativetsky, a classically trained percussionist, fell in love with the tabla more than 30 years ago and is looking forward to showcasing the instrument with this performance.
Canadian tabla performer Shawn Mativetsky will take the stage with the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra this weekend. (Caroline Tabah)
“He knows the tabla so well, I just know it’s going to be great,” says Mativetsky. “There’s no compromise on this piece. This performance is a reflection of our time. We live in a multicultural society and this concert is an incredible way to reflect who we are.”
The program will also feature a performance of Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade Op. 35. which Wijeratne says has a sensuality that enchants the audience.
“They love it, the musicians love it,” he explains. “The story within the music is the tale of a woman who uses her wits to enchant a king saving herself and other women from death. I hope this program challenges the audience to look beyond what they thing is exotic. To explore the diversity of sound that our world has to offer.”
*The Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra will host Wijeratne for its Music Talk from McNally Tuesday April 11 – 7:30p.m.. You can attend in person or watch the live stream by following this link.
