WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., Sept. 27, 2016 — Music lovers will not want to miss the chance to enjoy a solo piano concert, featuring artist Harsha D. Abeyaratne at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 4. The performance is free and open to the public and takes place at Elbin Auditorium, College Hall.
Abeyaratne is a music professor at Muskingum University, New Concord, Ohio.
“Please join us for an evening of exciting and colorful piano performances. Professor Abeyaratne’s challenging program includes the following repertoire: Haydn’s Sonata in A-flat Major, Chopin’s Scherzo No. 1 in B minor, Dello Joio’s Sonata No. 3, and Liszt’s Mephisto Waltz, an impressive tour de force,” said Dr. Gerald Lee, professor of piano at WLU.
With such reviews as “passionate” and “poetic,” the Sri Lankan pianist has performed at the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York; Lionel Wendt Theater in Colombo, Sri Lanka; Gansu Grand Theater in Lanzhou, China; and Interharmony International Music Festival, in Arcidosso, Italy.
He has also collaborated with renowned artists Rebecca Rischin, Randy Sabein, and George Wolfe, among others. In addition, he has performed at universities, and given master classes at a number of them, such as Ohio University, Ohio State University, University of Mount Union, Cedarville University, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and Jacksonville University. He has also been a soloist with the Muskingum Valley Symphonic Winds, Southeastern Ohio Symphony Orchestra, and National Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka.
In addition, Abeyaratne has played for a number of charity causes. Recent concerts include a repeat appearance as soloist with the Southeastern Ohio Symphony Orchestra in October of 2015 to perform Rachmaninoff’s Second Piano Concerto and a solo performance in March of 2016 at Muskingum University.
An equally dedicated collaborative pianist, Abeyaratne has played works in this genre by contemporary composers that include Hindemith, Creston, Fink, Berio, Tower, Peaslee, Muczynksi, Gweneth Walker, Ewazen, Desenclos and Glazunov. He has played on many occasions as a faculty chamber musician of Muskingum as well.
In demand as an adjudicator in Ohio, he has judged competitions such as the OhioMTA/Graves Piano Competition and OhioMTA/Buckeye Auditions, both highly respected competitions. In addition, he is the recipient of the 2010 Ball State University School of Music Alumni Achievement Citation Award.
Currently an associate professor of music at Muskingum University in New Concord, Ohio, he teaches piano, music theory, and aural skills. Prior to this teaching position, he served the respective keyboard departments of Manchester College, Ind., and Marshall University, W.Va.
He received his doctoral degree in music from Ball State University under the tutelage of pianist and teacher Robert Palmer. His other teachers include Ann Schaffert Miller (former piano professor at Lewis and Clark College) and the late Mary Billimoria (Sri Lanka).
He has also worked with Peter Takacs at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. Abeyaratne resides in New Concord, Ohio and also is passionate about jazz, swimming, and tennis.
The Division of Music at West Liberty University offers undergraduate degrees in music education, music performance, and music technology.
Its ensembles include the University Singers, Wind Ensemble, College Community Chorus, Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, and Electronic Music Ensemble. For complete information, please contact music@westliberty.edu or the Department of Music and Theater Office at 304-336-8006.