Young and in love with classical music
View(s):Leading Lankan tenor Asitha Tennekoon back for ‘Eternal Source of Light, an Evening of Sacred Music’
At just 27, his resume is exceptionally comprehensive. Tenor Asitha Tennekoon began his vocal career 12 years ago; five solo recitals and a slew of starring and guest performances in productions across continents later, he’s back in Sri Lanka for ‘Eternal Source of Light, an Evening of Sacred Music’ on February 27 at St. Andrew’s Scots Kirk church, Kollupitiya.
Asitha and Denham rehearsing for their upcoming performance. Pic by Indika Handuwala
A student of S. Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia and the son of a piano teacher, Asitha’s vocal and instrumental career began from a relatively young age. At just 15 years of age, Asitha had already sung with the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka. “I realised early on that music was not just a pastime for me,” he says. “There was a brief period when I thought I could juggle it with something else and went into studying law but I gave up after a year because I wanted to give all my attention to training my voice.”
He studied under Christine Perera and Menaka De Fonseka Sahabandu and having obtained his Licentiate in Voice and Piano from the Trinity College of Music London, went off to the Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University, where he studied for his Bachelors in Vocal Performance under Dr. Brian Horne. In Indiana he gave two solo recitals and a number of performances mainstage in operatic productions playing Don Ottavio, Tamino, Albert Herring and Gastone among others. He also performed Odoardo at the Princeton Festival.
The concert on Wednesday is a testament to his love for pieces that balance both vocals and instrumentals beautifully. The show is a one man tenor recital; a monumental challenge for any vocalist. Asitha and accompanists Denham Pereira on organ and Naveen Fernando on the trumpet will perform works by Purcell, Handel, Rossini, Mozart and Vaughn Williams. The latter is the only (relatively) modern composer-the others are 17th and 18th century maestros.
On choosing works many would optimistically call ‘dated’, Asitha is cheerfully confident. “These works are regularly performed across the world by the finest of singers. Doesn’t that tell you something about how relevant it is in the world, despite the centuries old gap?”
Purcell and Handel are the main composers whose works he has chosen. “People think these classical pieces are very slow, I can’t imagine why!” he smiles. “I would say 90% of the pieces on the programme are faster than your average composition. There is this excruciatingly beautiful trumpet piece by Handel that we’re looking forward to performing.”
He is working with Denham Pereira and Naveen Fernando, two fine instrumentalists. Denham is the Organist and Director of Music at St. Andrew’s Scots Kirk and Director of the choral group Voice of Praise. Naveen is Principal Trumpeter in the Symphony Orchestra as well as the Colombo Chamber Society. “I love working with other people when it comes to a performance,” smiles Asitha. “Especially when it comes to this kind of music. The pieces give equal importance to both voice and instrument. It’s a partnership.”
“Classical music has reached out to me like nothing else has,” he enthuses. “My response to this music is intellectual, emotional and psychological. I perform classical music because I feel I have the right tools to perform the music. There is something about the music that speaks right into my heart and soul.”
‘Eternal Source of Light, an Evening of Scared Music’ will be held on Wednesday, February 27 from 7.30 p.m. onwards at St. Andrew’s Scots Kirk (close to Cinnamon Grand). Tickets priced at Rs.700 are available at the door.
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