by Seneka Abeyratne

Tanya Ekanayaka is one of Sri Lanka’s leading concert pianists with a doctorate in linguistics and musicology from the University of Edinburg, where she lectures part-time. She also holds an MSc in Linguistics and English Language from The University of Edinburg and a BA (Honors) in English Literature and Linguistics from the University of Peradeniya. She has performed at several prestigious international venues, including St Martin-in-the-Fields, London, and the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, Washington D.C. In 2012 she performed Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 with the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka.

Dr. Tanya Ekanayaka performing at her CD release recital in London on 17 March 2015 – pic: facebook.com/grandpianorecords

I braved the inclement weather to hear her play and was blown away not by the gale but by her extraordinary musicianship.

Here is an excerpt from my published review:

“The stiffest hurdle for the pianist in this robust, emotionally-charged C minor concerto is the celebrated cadenza towards the end of the first movement, and she cleared it with consummate ease. Her touch was sublime, and her interpretation, deeply introspective and coloristic. The slow movement contains a hauntingly beautiful melody to which she gave a lofty, artistic interpretation. In the ebullient third movement, she slipped into top gear and performed the rondo with rhythmic élan and delicate brushstrokes worthy of a Fragonard painting.”

Tanya grew up in Sri Lanka and began studying the piano at the age of five. As a child she was tutored by her mother, Indira Ekanayaka, and later by Bridget Halpé. As an adult she has been guided by several mentors, including Colin Kingsley, John Kitchen, Raymond Monelle, Peter Nelson, Nigel Osborne, Jonathan Pasternack and Robin Zebaida. She is not only a world-class pianist, but a gifted improviser and composer as well. In her solo concerts overseas, she always includes one or two of her own compositions which, though classical, draw on traditional Sri Lankan musical rhythms, styles and motifs. For example, her first recital at St Martin-in-the Fields (she has performed there many times) concluded with the world première of her composition, ‘Adahas: of Wings of Roots’.

Says Prof Peter Nelson of the University of Edinburg: “Tanya Ekanayaka is a musician of rare accomplishment. Her pianism is fresh and powerful, technically assured and emotionally persuasive. As a composer she has the ability to synthesise her inter-cultural experience to create music that is original and compelling. In an age when the composer-pianist seems like a moment from the past, Tanya Ekanayaka shows us the potential of such a complete musicianship.”

What drives her to compose? From where does she get the inspiration? Some people have the ability to respond creatively to the voice calling from within, and she is undoubtedly one of them. In her own words, “The tenderest of melodies resides within you: it is the caress-fragranced, kaleidoscopic voice of your child-heart, as it was, is and will be…” Her style of composition is deeply anchored in her multicultural and multilingual background and her work is kaleidoscopic – a tantalizing blend of western classical and Sri Lankan folk music.

Naxos will be launching her debut album of compositions for solo piano in April 2015. The album is titled ‘REINVENTIONS: RHAPSODIES FOR PIANO’. This is the first time ever that a top international classical music record label will be releasing an album consisting entirely of solo piano pieces composed by a Sri Lankan artist. This album was performed by Tanya at a “CD release recital” at St-Martin-in-the-Fields, London on March 17, 2015.

The Amazon link for this debut album is – http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ekanayaka-Piano-Works-Tanya-GRAND/dp/B00U0S0O0I

It is fitting to end this article with a quote from the composer of Reinventions:

“My music is my diary, through which I share and re-live specific moments of my life. The works featured in this, my debut album, evolved spontaneously in Edinburgh between 2010 and 2014 while I was at the piano. While deeply autobiographical, each work also presents a blend of two musical domains. These domains have fascinated me for many years although their combined presence in my works is something I only became aware of recently.

Specifically, I perceive connectivity between other works of a concert programme deriving from their respective tonal centres, while the indigenous musics of my homeland Sri Lanka are integral to my being. As such, each work in this album may also be seen as re-presenting my indigenous culture while seeking to highlight connectivity between the different works of a concert programme in which the work might be incorporated.”

Courtesy:The Island