Dinuk Wijeratne’s music and collaborative work embrace the diversity of his international background and influences.
The music of the Sri Lankan-born Canadian and multi-award-winning composer, conductor and pianist comes to Colwood this month.
With accolades including including a 2016 Juno for Classical Composition of the Year, Wijeratne currently serves as assistant professor and director of the orchestra at the University of Ottawa.
Cascadia Strings Quartet performs his award-winning composition Two Pop Sons on Antique Poems on May 18 at St. John the Baptist Heritage Church as part of the classical concert series hosted by Arts and Culture Colwood Society.
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The music for the first concert, Struggle & Freedom, ranges from soothing symphonies to breathtaking concertos. It starts with Fratres (for String Quartet) by Arvo Part, then the Wikjeratne set Two Pop Songs on Antique Poems – A letter from the Afterlife and I will not let thee go. After an intermission, the musicians present String Quartet no. 2 in A minor, Op. 51 by Johannes Brahms.
Moving to Dubai when he was still very young, Dinuk was exposed to myriad cultures and musical styles from East to West. He went on to study at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester and Julliard. In 2004, while still a student, Dinuk made his Carnegie Hall debut as a composer, conductor, and pianist performing with Yo Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble. Following four years in New York, Dinuk was offered the Conductor-in-Residence and Composer-in-Residence with Symphony Nova Scotia which he whole heartedly embraced.
The Cascadia Strings Quartet performs at St John the Baptist Heritage Church in Colwood on May 18.
Get tickets and learn more about the concert series at artsandculturecolwood.ca. Tickets are $25.
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