The Ensemble of the Chamber Music Society of Colombo sees itself as a band of enthusiastic, highly dedicated music lovers who are progressive in their outlook and adventurous in spirit. The idea of forming such a group originated ten years ago amongst a few musicians – most of whom had international concert hall experience – whose dream it was to create a chamber music ensemble that would be unique to the country and the region. That dream was fulfilled in January 2007 when the Chamber Music Society of Colombo performed its inaugural concert at Temple Trees, for President Mahinda Rajapaksa, under the artistic direction of Lakshman Joseph de Saram. In just over a year and a half, the Society has established itself as one of the best run and critically acclaimed arts organizations in the region. Of the many highlights of the 2008/2009 season, the Society was the recipient of the
German Embassy Cultural Grant of 2008, an invitation to perform at the Bangkok Design Festival, and a headlining performance at the 2009 Galle Literary Festival.
The mission of the Society is to give classical music-loving audiences in Sri Lanka a very special concert experience. Unlike most forms of music, chamber music appeals to a particularly discerning type of audience. Chamber music audiences the world over are unique in this sense. Here in Sri Lanka there is such an audience. The Society hopes that by giving regular, carefully planned concerts, it can help build up such an audience further. Music education is part of its project.
The other very important aspect of the Society’s mission is to encourage new music, by commissioning new works from living composers. It is especially interested in music written by Sri Lankan composers, and music that draws on Sri Lankan sources of inspiration. There is at present no dedicated platform for Sri Lankan composers to showcase their original work, and gauge the public response to it. Both the artistes and the music-loving public are the poorer for this. By commissioning new compositions and introducing them to audiences, the Chamber Music Society of Colombo would help create an environment that gives these composers their due place in society. This is perhaps the most pioneering aspect of its work, and hugely exciting for everyone – the musicians, the composers, the audience. The ensemble plans to fulfil its ambitious agenda through future concerts that can be enjoyed by discerning audiences as well as the general public, reaching out to an ever-widening audience of music lovers. The over-arching vision of the Society is to represent Sri Lanka at the very highest levels artistically, and add value to the cultural landscape of the region.
The Chamber Music Society of Colombo owes its success thus far largely to the commitment and hard work of its musicians. It is also hugely indebted to its Board of Patrons and its generous Benefactors, for moral and material support extended in a spirit of true partnership in pursuit of shared goals.