Dinuk Wijeratne

Dinuk Wijeratne /ˈdɪnʊk ˌwɪdʒəˈrʌtnə/[1] (born 1978) is a conductor,[2] composer and pianist, living and working in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. His work Two Pop Songs on Antique Poems[3] won both the 2016 Juno Award for Classical Composition of the Year[4][5] and the 2016 East Coast Music Award for Classical Composition of the Year.[6][7] His boundary-crossing musical collaborations include ground-breaking combinations of symphony orchestra and tabla,[8][9] and string quartet and DJ.[10]

Early life and education

Wijeratne was born in Sri Lanka, and grew up in Dubai, UAE. He studied at the Royal Northern College of Music in the UK, and with John Corigliano at Juilliard in New York City.[11] In 2005 his family moved to Nova Scotia.[12]

Career

Wijeratne made his Carnegie Hall debut in 2004 as a conductor, composer and pianist, performing with Yo Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble. He became the Music Director for the Nova Scotia Youth Orchestra in 2006, and held a 3-year appointment as Conductor-in-Residence with Symphony Nova Scotia.[13]

In 2013 Wijeratne conducted the Elizabeth Bishop Players as they recorded music accompanying soprano Suzie LeBlanc for the album I Am In Need of Music.[14]

In 2016 Wijeratne's composition "Two Pop Songs on Antique Poems", from the Afriara Quartet's album Spin Cycle, won a Juno Award as Classical Composition of the Year.[12]

He was commissioned by the Calgary Philharmonic to compose "First Winter", a movement for its 2017 True North: Symphonic Ballet.[15][16] The piece combines the work of five composers, and was premiered at the True North Festival in celebration of Canada's 150th birthday.[17] "First Winter" was also performed by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra at the 21C Festival in 2019.

Selected works
  • Tsimo! (2012)[18]
  • Tabla Concerto (2011)[19]
  • 'Brazil, January 1, 1502' (2011)[20]
  • Solea di Diomira (2010)[21]
  • Colour Study in Rupaktaal (2007)[11]
  • Tabla Concerto (2011)[8] The first full length Tabla Concerto for tabla and full Western classical Symphony Orchestra
  • Two Pop Songs on Antique Poems (2015)[3] Winner of both the 2016 Juno Award and the 2016 East Coast Music Award for Classical Composition of the Year
  • Polyphonic Lively (2016)[22] Winner of the 2017 Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia Masterworks Arts Award[23]
  • Clarinet Concerto (2018)[24][25]

References
  1. Composer Dinuk Wijeratne "Invisible Cities" Interview, 2018-04-10, retrieved 2020-09-08
  2. Double Bassist. Issues 5-7. Orpheus Publications. 1998. p. 3.
  3. "Dinuk Wijeratne | Two Pop Songs on Antique Poems". Retrieved 2020-01-31.
  4. "Juno Awards of 2016", Wikipedia, 2019-12-01, retrieved 2020-01-31
  5. "Symphony Nova Scotia's RBC Composer in Residence Dinuk Wijeratne wins 2016 JUNO Award | Symphony Nova Scotia | Truly Nova Scotia's Orchestra". symphonynovascotia.ca. Retrieved 2020-01-31.
  6. "ECMA 2016 Awards Nominees and More News Announced! - East Coast Music Association". www.ecma.com. Retrieved 2020-01-31.
  7. Canadienne, Canadian Music Centre | Centre de Musique. "Centrediscs Releases Win Two 2016 East Coast Music Awards". musiccentre.ca. Retrieved 2020-01-31.
  8. "Tabla Concerto - Dinuk Wijeratne". The Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia Masterworks Arts Award. Retrieved 2020-01-31.
  9. "Tabla Concerto, by Dinuk Wijeratne, Ed Hanley and Symphony Nova Scotia". Ed Hanley (Tala-Wallah). Retrieved 2020-01-31.
  10. Canadienne, Canadian Music Centre | Centre de Musique. "Spin Cycle". www.musiccentre.ca. Retrieved 2020-01-31.
  11. John Terauds (2007-05-04). "Quebec pianist on the cutting edge". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2013-06-21.
  12. "Symphony NS composer in residence Dinuk Wijeratne nets Juno Award". THE CHRONICLE HERALD, April 10, 2016
  13. "Dinuk Wijeratne: Biography | Canadian Music Centre | Centre de Musique Canadienne". Musiccentre.ca. Retrieved 2013-06-21.
  14. "Album review: Suzie LeBlanc's love affair with Elizabeth Bishop yields rich musical offspring". Ludwig-Van, By John Terauds on October 22, 2013
  15. "21C Festival finds fresh use for half an orchestra". Toronto Star, By John Terauds, Jan. 17, 2019
  16. "SCRUTINY | 21C Music Festival: Goodyear Concerto Has The Sound Of A Winner". Ludwig-Van, By Arthur Kaptainis on January 17, 2019
  17. "5 facts about Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra's True North Symphonic Ballet". Calgary Herald, Josiah Hughes, October 26, 2017
  18. Batstone, Leah (2012-06-14). "WijeratneWorks | New Music Issue | Halifax, Nova Scotia | THE COAST". Thecoast.ca. Retrieved 2013-06-21.
  19. "Tabla Concerto – Dinuk Wijeratne | The Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia Masterworks Arts Award". Nsmasterworks.ca. Retrieved 2013-06-21.
  20. "Scotia Festival of Music | Highlight Concert 6". Scotiafestival.ns.ca. Archived from the original on 2013-06-16. Retrieved 2013-06-21.
  21. "Weekend Guide | Halifax Magazine". Halifaxmag.com. 2010-11-12. Archived from the original on 2012-03-03. Retrieved 2013-06-21.
  22. "Dinuk Wijeratne | Polyphonic Lively". Retrieved 2020-01-31.
  23. "Polyphonic Lively". The Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia Masterworks Arts Award. Retrieved 2020-01-31.
  24. "WNMF 5: THE ART OF DIALOGUE – WNMF". Retrieved 2020-01-31.
  25. Harris, Holly (2020-01-25). "Festival features fiery foundries, caped crusaders". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 2020-01-31.
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