Sri Lankan musical genius shines on the world stage-By Nandi Jasentuliyana

former Director-General, United Nations

In a remarkable evening of musical brilliance, Rohan De Silva partnered with violin virtuoso Itzhak Perlman, at the iconic Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles recently.

A review in a local paper stated, “World-class violinist Itzhak Perlman and distinguished pianist Rohan De Silva performed at the Disney Hall, Beethoven to John Williams. Perlman and De Silva played phenomenally and entertained the audience throughout the show.” This sentiment captures the essence of the evening perfectly.

I was privileged to be in the audience with another famous Sri Lankan pianist, Dr. Nishani Gunasekara, with her husband, Prof. Richard Gunasekare. Throughout the concert, Nishani along with the capacity crowd of 2,000 music lovers in Southern California, held their breath, mesmerised by the brilliant performance.

Displaying a masterful fusion of classical elegance and contemporary allure, the two maestros effortlessly traversed through different musical eras. As Perlman’s bow danced across the strings of his violin, his music resonated with profound emotion, leaving every listener spellbound. De Silva’s fingers gracefully caressed the keys of the piano, complementing Perlman’s delicate melodies with impeccable precision.

As the evening progressed, Perlman and De Silva took their audience on an exhilarating musical adventure. From Beethoven to John Williams, they showcased their versatility by seamlessly transitioning between various genres. The medley of classical and contemporary pieces delighted both connoisseurs of classical music and those seeking a more modern touch.

De Silva proved himself to be an exceptional collaborator throughout the performance. His piano accompaniment acted as a solid foundation for Perlman’s soaring melodies, providing a seamless backdrop against which the violinist could shine brightly.

The concert reached its pinnacle when Perlman and De Silva embarked on a breathtaking rendition of John Williams’ iconic film scores. The familiar melodies from movies such as Schindler’s List and Star Wars filled the hall, evoking nostalgia and eliciting thunderous applause from an appreciative audience.

Undeniably, one has to be the world’s best to play alongside the reigning virtuoso of the violin, Itzhak Perlman, who enjoys superstar status rarely afforded a classical musician. Having performed with every major orchestra and at concert halls around the globe, Perlman was granted a Presidential Medal of Freedom-the Nation’s highest civilian honour-by President Obama in 2015, a National Medal of Arts by President Clinton in 2000, and a Medal of Liberty by President Reagan in 1986. Perlman has been honoured with 16 Grammy Awards, four Emmy Awards, a Kennedy Centre Honor, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and a Genesis Prize.

De Silva began his piano studies with his mother, the late Primrose De Silva, and with the late Mary Billimoria. He spent six years at the Royal Academy of Music in London as a student and earned an associate degree from the Royal Academy of London in 1992 as the recipient of the first Sri Lanka President’s Fund scholarship to study at Juilliard.

While in London, he received many awards, including the Chappell Gold Medal for best overall performance at the Royal Academy. This enabled him to enter the Juilliard School, where he received both his Bachelor’s and Master of Music degrees.

He was awarded a special prize as Best Accompanist at the 1990 Ninth International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow and received the Samuel Sanders Collaborative Artist Award presented to him by Itzhak Perlman at the 2005 Classical Recording Foundation Awards Ceremony at Carnegie Hall. He currently teaches at the Juilliard School in New York, the premier music school in the United States, where he has served on the faculty since 1991. He has also held Master Classes at several U.S. universities.

Rohan De Silva has partnered with violin virtuoso Itzhak Perlman in worldwide recitals, and every notable violinist on the concert stage today. He has performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Centre, the Kennedy Centre, Library of Congress, Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Barbican and Wigmore Hall in London, Bronfman Auditorium in Tel Aviv, Suntory Hall in Tokyo and at the White House at the invitation of President Barack Obama in 2012 for Shimon Peres; at the Millennium Grammy Awards ceremony in 2000; and at a State Dinner in 2007 hosted by President George W. Bush for Queen Elizabeth. De Silva was invited in 2015 by the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka to perform for U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on his historic visit to Sri Lanka.

As the final notes reverberated through the hall, a standing ovation erupted, an expression of gratitude for an exceptional musical experience. It was a testament to the profound impact that Perlman and De Silva had on their captivated audience.

Every Sri Lankan music lover can be proud of Rohan De. Silva as he tours concert halls around the world, keeping the Sri Lanka flag flying.