For the second time, Sri Lankan classical music fans will have the opportunity to enjoy the world-class talents of pianist Albert Sassmann.
The Kandy Music Society together with the Austrian Cultural Forum has arranged once more for this young and amazing musician to thrill audiences in both Colombo and Kandy. The first performance will take place in Colombo on August 23, at the Goethe Institute Auditorium beginning 7pm. The performance in Kandy will be held on August 24 from 6.30pm at the E.O.E. Pereira Theatre at the University of Peradeniya Faculty of Engineering.
Albert Sassmann chooses his repertoire from the works of the Viennese classic masters, the Second Viennese School and the twentieth century. This year's performance will feature Austrian Piano Classics such as Sonata in D-Major KV 311 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, 12 Grazer Waltzes D 924 and Sonata in G Major D 894 by Franz Schubert as well as Sonata 1.X.1905 by Leos Janacek.
This prodigious pianist was born in Linz, Upper Austria to an aesthetically inclined family. "Music and art have always been an important part of our home and our lives," he says, yet adding that he is the first member of the family to become a professional musician. Albert completed his studies in performance piano and conducting at the Bruckner Conservatory in Linz and then the University of Music and Performing arts in Vienna under Hans Kann and Peter Efler. Later he went on to receive the Associate of the Royal College of Music Diploma in London, with honours.
Albert's unassuming style leads his playing to be of the natural, simple sort. He prefers to let the music speak for itself, not attempting modern interpretations of the music, but portraying it unspoilt, as the composer might have purposed. This unostentatious nature of his performances has led him to be a highly popular pianist in all parts of the world including the USA, Americas, Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, East and South-east Asia. Apart from these regular international performances, Albert also teaches at his old school in Vienna. |
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