Compositions

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RA # Title Dates of Composition Descrription Premiere Comments
1 Concert Overture 1974 Based on Sri Lankan folk songs. Orchestra 2/2/2/2, 2/1,Timps,Strings 26 June 1975–The Colombo Sinfonietta conducted by Sarath Fernando – Lionel Wendt Theatre, Colombo. Score available.
1. Guilivissimo
2. Tempo di Marcia Funabre
3. Presto Vivace
2 Serenade for Small Orchestra 1974 Based on Sri Lankan folk song material. Orchestra 2/2/2/2, 2/2, Timps,Strings 28 July 1975- Junior Orchestra of Colombo conducted by Carmel Raffel - Ladies College Hall. Score misplaced.
3 Wind Quintet 1974 Fl/Ob/Cl/Bsn Rehearsed in 1976, but not performed Score misplaced
4 Suite in two Movements for Solo Flute 1974 Fl 1976 - Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour by the composer (on Flute) Manuscript score available.
1. Lament – Andante con moto
2. Adagio Religioso
5 Witchcraft 1975 Viola and Amplifier August 1975 - Recorded by Carmel Raffel Score misplaced. Recording may be available on cassette.
6 Five Plans for Recorder & Piano 1974 Descant Recorder and Piano 29 April 1976 – recorded and broadcast – performed by the composer, with Lakshmi Rasaratnam on Piano – Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation Score misplaced. Recording may be available at SLBC(?)
7 Three Phonic Essays 1974 Orchestra 2/2/2/2, 2/,Strings 19 July 1976–The Colombo Sinfonietta 9was to be conducted by the composer who fell ill – conducted by Sarath Fernando - Lionel Wendt Theatre Score misplaced.
8 Bridal March No. 1 1974 Organ 24 January 1976 -Performed at Wedding of Cousin Ianthi de Mel and Nimal de Silva at St. Michael’s and All Angel's Church, Colombo 03 Score misplaced.
8a Suite in two Movements for Solo Flute 1976 Orchestra 2/2/2/2/, 2/2,Timps/ Strings 14 October 1977 -Junior Symphony Orchestra of Ceylon conducted by the composer – Ladies' College Hall Score misplaced. Arranged for orchestra by the composer.
9 Symphony No. 1 1975 Orchestra 2/2/2/2, 4/2/3/1,Timps, Strings Score available. Never performed Composed as an entry for the composer’s competition, the Arthur Honegger Prix in Paris, France. Based on total serialization techniques. Composer was the youngest entrant. There was a film made in Paris on this which shows the score.
10 Christmas Oratorio "සුභරංචිය" Libretto by Fr. Marceline Jayakody 1976 SATB Chorus, Baritone soloist & Orchestra 2/4/4/3, 3/2, Strings, Mandoline, Tammattama, Getabera. 15 February 1977 - Symphony Orchestra of Colombo with a mixed chorus conducted by Dr. Earle de Fonseka -Ladies College Hall, Colombo. 25th January 1985 repeat performance by the Symphony Orchestra of Colombo, conducted by Dr. Earle de Fonseka, Ladies' College Hall, Colombo.
10a Revised 2019 SATB Chorus, Baritone soloist & Orchestra 2/2/2/2, 3/2/3,Perc, Strings,. 11 Dec 2019 11am - Revised version performed, conducted by the composer-St.Paul’s Church, Colombo
Oktave and Friends
The Piccolinis
Rachel Halliday, mezzo soprano
Gustav Mahler Orchestra of Colombo
To commemorate 60 Years of Broadcasting in Sri Lanka. Broadcast on Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation English Service and Stereophonic Service (STX) on 27 February 1985 at 9.15 pm
Original Manuscript score available
Revised version printed score available.
1. Overture
2. Chorus-There were Shepheards in the fields.
3. Chorus-And Suddenly the Angel appeared
4. Solo: I bring you good tidings
5. Chorus- Glory to God
6. Chorus- For unto us a son is born
7.Chorus - Amen
11 Concerto Grosso for Recorder consort and Chamber Orchestra 1978 Sopranino/S/A/T/B Recorders and String Orchestra. 23 January 1979 -Colombo Youth Orchestra conducted by Dr. Earle de Fonseka -Ladies College Hall. Score misplaced.
1.Allegro
2.Theme & Variations
3.Minuet
12 Symphony No. 2 “Sigiri” 1978 Orchestra 2/2/2/2, 2/2/3,Timps/ Strings, Mandoline, Guitar,GetaBera, Davul, Baritone soloist 22 September 1978 - Symphony Orchestra of Ceylonconducted by Dr. Earle de Fonseka - Ladies College Hall, Colombo. (20th Anniversary Concert of SOC. Repeated in Kandy, Sri Lanka - 23 September 1978 - Engineering Faculty Theatre, University of Peradeniya
Manuscript score available
1.Rise of the Parvataraja
2.Scenes at Sigiriya
3.The Fall
13 Bridal March No.2 1983 Orchestra 2/2/2/2, 2/2 3/St, Timps/ Srings March 1983 - Recorded by the Symphony Orchestra of Ceylon and reproduced at composer's wedding. Score misplaced. Recording available.
14 Silver Jubilee Overture 1983 Orchestra 2/2/2/2, 2/2,Timps/ Strings 11 August 1983 -Symphony Orchestra of Ceylon conducted by Dr. Earle de Fonseka - 25th Anniversary Concert – Chief Guest HE J.R Jayewardene President of Sri Lanka Repeated on 15 December 1983 at Ladies College. Manuscript score in SOSL Library. Billed on the programme as Overture No. 3. Overture was specially composed for the occasion.
15 Symphony No. 3 1988 Orchestra 2/2/2/2, 2/2, Timps/ Strings, Boy Soprano soloist 1988 - Symphony Orchestra of Ceylon conducted by Dr. Earle de Fonseka, Ladies College Hall. Manuscript score available. Dedicated to Lishanthi Wijewardene.
16 Choral Poem 1991 SATB Soloist and SATB Choir & Orchestra 2/2/2/2, 2/2,Timps/ Strings. 22 November 1991 - Symphony Orchestra & Chorus of Sri Lanka conducted by Dr. Earle de Fonseka -Tower Hall Theatre, Colombo at the Festival of Art. Manuscript in SOSL Library. Score available. Lamentation of civil war and hope for peace. Used “අහෝ" "අයියෝ" in first chorus. “Dedicated to the “Innocents who have paid most for our violent crisis”. Attended by the Chief Guest – George Keyt – renowned painter.
17 Piano & Drums 1995 Piano Gayathri Attiken, Ramya de Livera Pereira, Amy Briggs Dissanayake, Eshantha Peiris Manuscript and printed scoresavailable. Based on a poem of the same title by African poet Gabriel Okara. Uses ගමන්පද rhythms
Recorded by Eshantha Peiris and available online.
18 Three Sri Lankan Dances 1991 Orchestra 2/2/2/2, 2/2/3,Timps/Perc/ Strings. c. 1995. Symphony Orchestra & Chorus of Sri Lanka conducted by the composer. Score misplaced.
1. Ukussa
2. Jaya Keli
3. Baila
20 Sitar Concerto 1997-8 Orchestra 1/1/Cor Anglaise/1, 2/1,Tabla, Ghatam, Strings & Sitar solo 28 March 1998- Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka conducted by the composer- Bishop’s College Auditorium. Solo Sitar Prof Pradeep Ratnayakem- soloist in all performances. 50th Anniversary of Sri Lanka’s Independence. Printed score available. Dedicated to PritivaAttiken. Premier recording available. 9 August 1998 Mumbai, India, Bombay Chamber Orchestra conducted by the composer at tata Theatre. February 2004 performed in Bangalore India by the Amsterdam Chamber Orchestra.
21 Requiem for Earth (Requiem Orbis Terrarum) 1998 SATB Chorus, Sop./Ten./Baritone soloists and Orchestra Pic/1/1/ 2/2, Timps/ percussion, Santoor, Strings, natural sounds 27 March 1999 - Orchestra and Chorus conducted by composer - St. Michael's and All Angels church, Kollupitiya. Celebration of the birth centenary of Deva Surya Sena.
All Souls Day broadcast 02 November 2023
Printed score available. The first movement “Deinde” is a recitation of Anne Ranasinghe’s poem “Afterwards” over music. Premier recording available.
1. Deinde – Afterwards
2. Chorus & Tenor solo - Introit & Kyrie
3. Chorus – Sanctus
4. Soprano Solo – Pie Jesu
5. Chorus – Libera Me
6. Agnus Dei- Soprano/Baritone solos & Chorus
7. Chorus - In Paradisum
22 Marchy-On 1999 Concert Band Not performed Printed score available. Digital version available. Dedicated to Hans Monheimius, the oldest living Dutchman in Sri Lanka on his 70th Birthday.
23 Christmas Suite 2000 Dec Piano Not performed Printed score available. Dedicated to Gayathri Attiken
1.Snow Flakes
2.Designer Rat (squirrel)
3.The lonely pine
4. Windchimes at Hirons
5. Hosanna in Excelsis
6.Cajan Stomp
24 Symphony No. 4 (incomplete) 2000 started Orchestra 2/2/2/2 2/2 3 Strings Not performed N/A
25 Tablesque 2000 started Strings
Piece based on Tabla rhythms
27 November 2000 - European Union Chamber Orchestra-Colombo at Bishops College Auditorium. Printed score available. Broadcast on “Bonsoir” presented by Kumar de Silva on ITN on 15 January 2001. Repeated EUCO in UK at three summer festival concerts. The composer was present at one of these in Wales.
25a 2011 Piano Quintet – Piano and String Quartet 20 October 2011 -Piano Quintet -performed by EshanthaPeiris and the Morita String Quartet (Japan) - Colombo Mt Lavinia Hotel. Printed score available.
26 Fantasia for Oriental and Orchestral Percussion 2002 Percussion: Ghatam, Pakvaj, Tabla, Kalabera, Conchs, Timpani, Cymbals, Digeridoo, and other percussion with a Sri Lankan Drum Orchestra. 23 February 2002 – “New Era Concert” of the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka – Ladies College hall, Colombo. Soloists: RavibandhuVidyapath, Arjuna Krishnaratne, Neomal Weerakoon. Score in SOSL libraryListen
27 Sangeetha Bindu සංගීත බිංඳු 2004 Flute & Piano 1 July 2004 - Eleanor Pameijer (Flute) & Marcel Worms (Piano) - Paderewski Hall, (Hall XIV) UN Palais des Nations, Geneva. Dedicated to the Duo. Also recorded by them for CD. Also performed in Colombo and several concerts in Netherlands & Brazil.
1. Kavi Padha/කවිපද (Bass Flute)
2. Thuranga/තුරඟ
3. Viridu/විරිදු
4. Baila/බයිල
28 Ubi Caritas February 2016 SATB choir a capella 21 November and 23 December 2017 - Peradeniya Singers conducted by Bridget Halpe - “Varama” Kandy and Galle respectively. Dedicated as a gift to his wife Mamgalika Pereira
29 Overture “The Dancers” July-August 2016 Orchestra 2&picc/2/2/2 4/2/3/1 4 Perc, Strings 19 October 2017 -Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka conducted Dushyanthi Perera - the 60th Anniversary Concert 23 June 21018 The Sun Symphony Orchestra conducted by the composer in Hanoi Vietnam - Vietnam-Sri Lanka FreindshipConcert at the Vietnam Academy of Music Hall. Dedicatedas a birthday gift for eldest daughter Bethany Pereira
Printed score available
30 Elegy for the Easter Victims April 2019 Strings 28 April 2019 - Streamed -First Presbyterian Church Chicago. Printed score available. Composed days after the Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka.Also streamed in April 2019 at UN General Assembly Hall, NY.
30a Elegy Choral version SATB a capella SATB choir a capella 29 September 2019 Peradeniya Singers, Kandy Junior Singers, and hand-picked young professionals Brigitte Halpe, conductor St. Paul's Church, Milagiriya Performed by Landon Symphonette on 5 May 2019 and 21 July 2019 at the Luzern Music Festival USA conducted by Stephen Czarkowski. June 2019, recorded by members of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, June 2019 at Buntrock Hall at Symphony Center, Chicago, USA. 24 August 2019, performed in Colombo by the Gustav Mahler Society Orchestra at the Navarangahala.
Printed score available.
31 Cello Concerto 2004-2024 Orchestra: 1/1/Cor Anglais/1 2/1 3 percs Strings & Cello solo Online premiere in cello and piano reduction with Juan Cerezo (Cello) and Patricio Carrillo (Piano) from Spain. Above performance linked on the movement headings.
Concert Premiere by the SOSL with Dushy Perera, cello; conducted by Keiko Kobayashi. Lionel Wendt Theatre. 23 March 2024.
Youtube
Printed score available with MP3 digital versions. Dedicated as a birthday gift for younger daughter Liyanga de Silva.
1.Lento e triste
2.Spiritoso
3.Galappo gentile
4.Danza spiritoso (Baila)
Explanation, of first three movements with thematic excerpt, by the composer
Listening notes
These remarks were delivered by the composer at the premiere.
1. Fascinated and inspired by Sri Lanka, and Indian drumming traditions. Even listening to a melody, try to identify drum rhythms.
2. Fascinated by the variety of scales offered in Indian classical music. I use a few exotic modes, resulting in interesting harmonies not available in the major and minor scales.
3. The Cello opens the concerto alone introducing a leitmotif (lead motive) of six (6) notes that recur in all of the movements in different instruments and contexts. Listen out for these.
32 The Beatitudes (commissioned for 2020- Chicago) Begun 2020; first movement performed 2023 SSAA choir & Chamber orchestra A setting of Beatitudes from the Bible. It is scored for Soprano, Tenor, women's chorus (SSAA), Percussion and Piano. The Piano part is a reduction of the original version scored for Treble Recorder, Tenor Sax, Cor Anglais, Viola, Cello, Sitar, Mandolin and Percussion. The words are the original Aramaic spoken by Jesus. The world premiere performance of the first movement, took place at a choral festival held in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, hosted by Le Cantanti di Chicago and the Hyde Park and Kenwood Interfaith Council at the Hyde Park Union Church in Chicago, USA, on 29 January 2023. Printed score available.
1. Blessed are the Peacemakers ("Tubwayhun lahwvday shlama dawnawhie d’alaha nitqarun" )
33 Duos for Violin and Cello January 2014 SATB a capella 22 March 2014 - Nathan Wisniewski (Violin)
Stephen Czarkovsky (Cello)
Millenium Stage, Kennedy Center, Washington DC, USA
04 February 2018 -Seoul, S. Korea.
1. Gajaga
2. Lullaby - Doyi doyi
3. Virindu
Printed score available. Composed as an interlude in the middle of a Sri Lankan dance performance by Serendib Dance troupe. Premiere was by members of the US Armed Forces Orchestras
34 The Luke Passion (Sinhala Language) 2014-2021 (In progress) SATB choir, soloists (T, B, S,A), and chamber orchestra In manuscript only. Not premiered yet. Inspired by the Bach St. John Passion, BWV 245
Digital version of 1st chorus, මගේ ජේසූ දෙවියනේ,released on Good Friday, 02 April 2021.
35 A Pentecostal Praise Dated 09 - 23 April 1973 Tenor, SATB choir, piano or organ In manuscript only. A setting of Acts of the Apostles Ch. 2:1-4, followed by a setting of Psalm 150.
Dedicated to Lylie Godridge, who was a baritone, and was not able to perform it. Arguably, the earliest work, written at the age of 13. Formal harmony, with signs of the melodic style which would emerge later.
36 O Magnum Mysterium 30 April 2021 - 04 May 2021 SATB a capella In manuscript only. Dedicated to choral director, pianist and pedagogue Brigit Halpe, in celebration of her 65 years as a musician, and 62 years as a teacher. Dedicated as a gift to his wife Mamgalika Pereira
37 Salute to Citizens
පූරවැසි ආචාරය

"Puravesi Aachaaraya"
April-May 2022 Brass and Percussion Performed by the Colombo Brass Ensemble led by Naveen Fernando, conducted by Srimal Weerasinghe, and now available online. Dedicated as a gift to his wife Mamgalika Pereira
38 Solo Cello Suite 2023 Unaccompanied solo cello Commissioned by, and dedicated to the cellist Juan Aguilera Cerezo (Spain) The suite represents the six stages of grieving - something we all have to do sometime in our lives.
1. Angustia (Anguish)
2. Inquietus-Negare (Restless - denial)
3.
Iratus (Anger)
4.
Pacisci-Pactus (Compromise)
5.
Contristare (Grief)
6.
Acceptatio et Tranquilitas (Acceptance and resolution)
39 Variations on a Sri Lankan Lullaby "Doyi doyi doyi" June 2023 2 flutes Dedicated to Antraud Hartman. Manuscript only. Download mp3
Download sheet music
Creative Commons licensed. This may be performed with an acknowledgement to the composer.
40 Meditation and Transit for Solo Cello May 2021 Solo cello Printed Score only.Dedicated to Liyanga de Silva, for her 18th birthday The Transit uses the Thuranga Vannama theme. It requires the performer to use the body of the cello as a drum. Printed score available.
Download sheet music
Creative Commons licensed. This may be performed with an acknowledgement to the composer.
41 Prelude and Finale, in D minor 2004. Geneva Oboe/Flute, violin, cello and piano Printed score and parts available. Rediscovered by the composer, June 2024 Marked ''Presto Ritmico''. Printed score available.
Download sheet music
Creative Commons licensed. This may be performed with an acknowledgement to the composer.
RA – Rajeev Aloysius who has been appointed as the official cataloguer of de Silva’s works