Music and quiet mastery
View(s):- Dhiren Fernando returns to Lionel Wendt for SOSL’s ‘Romantic Masterworks’ concert
before leaving to Cambridge University to study medicine
By Joanne Srikanth
At 18, Dhiren Fernando is already a rare combination. A classically trained pianist and double bassist, rugby player and soon-to-be medical student at Cambridge University, his life bridges music and science, sport and structure, discipline and intuition. But what stands out most is not the long list of accomplishments, it’s the intentional way he approaches each one. “Ten focused minutes can be better than an hour of distracted effort,” he says.
He steps onto the stage at the Lionel Wendt Theatre for the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka’s (SOSL) ‘Romantic Masterworks’ concert on July 26, returning to the place where one year ago he made his debut performing Rachmaninoff’s Second Piano Concerto in C-minor. This time, he takes on a new challenge: Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor—an emotionally charged work known for its technical complexity and sweeping grandeur, performing under the baton of Dushyanthi Perera, his long-time mentor.
To understand how Dhiren has come to this point, we have to go back to his early childhood. He started piano lessons at the age of seven, at Music Matters Academy making notable progress and at the age of eight, moving to the UK, auditioned for the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London where he studied piano, theory, ensemble performance, and composition, beginning to understand the architecture of music – its logic, its flow and its mindful interpretation.
In Sri Lanka, Dhiren continued his training under Dushyanthi whose lessons focused not just on technique but interpretation, storytelling and the art of listening—to the music, to others, to silence. She taught him the
double bass as well, allowing him to understand ensemble dynamics from a broader orchestral perspective.
Offstage, Dhiren’s life is just as dynamic. A top academic performer with 11 A*s at GCSEs while studying at King Edward’s School in Birmingham, he recently completed his A-Levels, taking maths, physics, biology, and chemistry at the Colombo International School in Colombo which he joined in November 2023. He has accepted an offer from Cambridge University, where he plans to study medicine, with a particular interest in neuroscience.
How does he balance all this?
“Consistency,” he says simply. It’s about showing up, even when it’s inconvenient.” He’s not obsessed with the idea of relentless grind to the point of exhaustion – instead, he believes in presence—the discipline of being fully in the task, whether it’s a chemistry paper or a Chopin étude.
It’s an ethos shaped in part by his upbringing. “My father instilled in me a love for music through his singing,” Dhiren says. “He actually won the All-Island singing competition when he was 11. Growing up, I’d often walk into the house hearing him sing Amaradeva. It was a quiet kind of joy.”
His mother, he says, is a constant source of guidance and perspective. “She let me, and most times, made me, find my own balance. That freedom made all the difference,” he says with a smile. “From an early age she made sure I was strong in math – giving me an edge in logic, science, and structure.” He also grew up in a house full of books.
One of his goals is to give back. “I was lucky. I had good teachers and a family that supported me. I want to create something that helps other kids. He fondly remembers his teacher’s grandson, Kaleb, a five-year-old beginner cellist who insists he’ll one day play a duet with Dhiren. “He’s tiny, but so serious,” Dhiren laughs. “He reminds me why this all matters.”
“If I can make someone feel connected to their deeper self—that’s enough. It doesn’t have to be applause. Just a moment where they feel seen, or moved. That’s what music can do.”
He’s also aware that not many in
Sri Lanka pursue classical music seriously beyond school. That’s something he hopes to change. “Here, music is often treated as a distraction from studies. But it doesn’t have to be either-or. Art and science can feed each other. I’d love to see that culture grow here. More access, more mentorship, more visibility.”
The SOSL’s ‘Romantic Masterworks’ concert is on July 26 at 7 p.m., at the Lionel Wendt Theatre. The programe opens with Johan Svendsen’s celebratory Festival Polonaise, and includes Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 01 and Rachmaninov’s Adagio from his 2nd Symphony.
Tickets are priced at Rs 10,000, 7,500, 6,500, 5,000 and 4,000 (Reserved). Balcony: Rs 2,000 (Unreserved). For reservations, WhatsApp: 0740670202
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