Ashan Pillai
Encyclopedia
Ashan Diresh Pillai is a British violist
. He was educated as a music and academic scholar at Merchant Taylors School
, London and then at the Royal Academy of Music
, London, the University of Southern California
, Los Angeles and the Juilliard School
, New York City. His principal teachers were John White, Donald McInnes and Karen Tuttle
.
Between 1994 and 1998 he won several prizes at international and national competitions including the Tertis
and Rome International Competitions, the Royal Overseas League and Park Lane Group Competitions in London and Artists International in New York. These successes led to acclaimed debuts in London's Wigmore Hall
and Purcell Room
(1997–1999), New York's Carnegie Hall
and festivals throughout the world including Salzburg
, Tanglewood
, Banff
, Ravinia, Aspen
, Pau Casals (Puerto Rico
, France and Barcelona
), and Schleswig-Holstein
.
Pillai has performed as soloist under the batons of Christian Zacharias
, Christopher Hogwood
, Robert King
, Lawrence Foster
, with the English
, Gulbenkian
, Czech, Andorran and Scottish Chamber Orchestra
s, as well as I Musici
, London and New York, and collaborated with the likes of Lynn Harrell
, Zacarias, the Kreutzer and Brodsky Quartet
s, and the Ensemble Modern
, Frankfurt
.
He was assistant principal violist in the English Chamber Orchestra
(1995–2000), co-founding member of the Mobius Ensemble (London 1997–2006) and is currently principal viola in the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra
(from 2000), violist with the Zukerman Chamber Players
and the string quintet led by Pinchas Zukerman
. Pillai is Professor of Viola at ESMUC (Escola Superior de Música de Catalunya) (from 2001) and the Conservatori Superior del Liceu
in Barcelona (from 2009).
As a recording artist, Pillai has recorded widely for EMI
, Naxos
, ASV
, Altara
, Meridian
, Bel
, Columna and Oehms Classics including sonatas by Bax
, Debussy, Lluís Benejam, and Schubert
and concerti
by Hoffmeister
and Mozart.
Chamber music
Viola
The viola is a bowed string instrument. It is the middle voice of the violin family, between the violin and the cello.- Form :The viola is similar in material and construction to the violin. A full-size viola's body is between and longer than the body of a full-size violin , with an average...
. He was educated as a music and academic scholar at Merchant Taylors School
Merchant Taylors' School, Northwood
Merchant Taylors' School is a British independent day school for boys, originally located in the City of London. Since 1933 it has been located at Sandy Lodge in the Three Rivers district of Hertfordshire ....
, London and then at the Royal Academy of Music
Royal Academy of Music
The Royal Academy of Music in London, England, is a conservatoire, Britain's oldest degree-granting music school and a constituent college of the University of London since 1999. The Academy was founded by Lord Burghersh in 1822 with the help and ideas of the French harpist and composer Nicolas...
, London, the University of Southern California
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
, Los Angeles and the Juilliard School
Juilliard School
The Juilliard School, located at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City, United States, is a performing arts conservatory which was established in 1905...
, New York City. His principal teachers were John White, Donald McInnes and Karen Tuttle
Karen Tuttle
Karen Tuttle was an American viola teacher, famous for her "coordination" technique, which emphasizes being comfortable while playing the instrument. She was originally a violinist who chose to become a violist when she wanted to study with William Primrose, whose technique and ease in playing...
.
Between 1994 and 1998 he won several prizes at international and national competitions including the Tertis
Lionel Tertis International Viola Competition
The Lionel Tertis International Viola Competition is an international music competition for viola players established in 1980 to honor the memory of the English viola virtuoso Lionel Tertis. This triennial event is held at the Erin Arts Centre, Port Erin, Isle of Man...
and Rome International Competitions, the Royal Overseas League and Park Lane Group Competitions in London and Artists International in New York. These successes led to acclaimed debuts in London's Wigmore Hall
Wigmore Hall
Wigmore Hall is a leading international recital venue that specialises in hosting performances of chamber music and is best known for classical recitals of piano, song and instrumental music. It is located at 36 Wigmore Street, London, UK and was built to provide London with a venue that was both...
and Purcell Room
Purcell Room
The Purcell Room is a concert and performance venue which forms part of the Southbank Centre, one of central London's leading cultural complexes. It is named after the 17th century English composer Henry Purcell and has 370 seats....
(1997–1999), New York's Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall is a concert venue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States, located at 881 Seventh Avenue, occupying the east stretch of Seventh Avenue between West 56th Street and West 57th Street, two blocks south of Central Park....
and festivals throughout the world including Salzburg
Salzburg
-Population development:In 1935, the population significantly increased when Salzburg absorbed adjacent municipalities. After World War II, numerous refugees found a new home in the city. New residential space was created for American soldiers of the postwar Occupation, and could be used for...
, Tanglewood
Tanglewood
Tanglewood is an estate and music venue in Lenox and Stockbridge, Massachusetts. It is the home of the annual summer Tanglewood Music Festival and the Tanglewood Jazz Festival, and has been the Boston Symphony Orchestra's summer home since 1937. It was the venue of the Berkshire Festival.- History...
, Banff
Banff, Alberta
Banff is a town within Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. It is located in Alberta's Rockies along the Trans-Canada Highway, approximately west of Calgary and east of Lake Louise....
, Ravinia, Aspen
Aspen
Populus section Populus, of the Populus genus, includes the aspen trees and the white poplar Populus alba. The five typical aspens are all native to cold regions with cool summers, in the north of the Northern Hemisphere, extending south at high altitudes in the mountains. The White Poplar, by...
, Pau Casals (Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
, France and Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
), and Schleswig-Holstein
Schleswig-Holstein
Schleswig-Holstein is the northernmost of the sixteen states of Germany, comprising most of the historical duchy of Holstein and the southern part of the former Duchy of Schleswig...
.
Pillai has performed as soloist under the batons of Christian Zacharias
Christian Zacharias
-Music career:Zacharias studied piano with Irene Slavin and Vlado Perlemuter in Paris. He won the Geneva Competition in 1969 and the Van Cliburn Competition in 1973. After winning the Ravel Competition in Paris in 1975, he launched an international career...
, Christopher Hogwood
Christopher Hogwood
Christopher Jarvis Haley Hogwood CBE, MA , HonMusD , born 10 September 1941, Nottingham, is an English conductor, harpsichordist, writer and musicologist, well known as the founder of the Academy of Ancient Music.-Biography:...
, Robert King
Robert King
Robert King may refer to:Robert King*Robert King, 4th Earl of Kingston , Irish peer, soldier and Whig politician*Robert King, Bishop of Oxford Robert King may refer to:Robert King*Robert King, 4th Earl of Kingston (1796–1867), Irish peer, soldier and Whig politician*Robert King, Bishop of Oxford...
, Lawrence Foster
Lawrence Foster
Lawrence Foster is an American conductor.He became the conductor of the San Francisco Ballet at the age of 18, and served as Assistant Conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic under Zubin Mehta...
, with the English
English Chamber Orchestra
The English Chamber Orchestra is a British chamber orchestra based in London. The full orchestra regularly plays concerts at Cadogan Hall, and the ECO Ensemble performs at Wigmore Hall...
, Gulbenkian
Gulbenkian Orchestra
The Gulbenkian Orchestra is a Portuguese symphony orchestra based in Lisbon. The orchestra primarily gives concerts at the Grande Auditório of the Gulbenkian Foundation....
, Czech, Andorran and Scottish Chamber Orchestra
Scottish Chamber Orchestra
The Scottish Chamber Orchestra is Scotland's national chamber orchestra, based in Edinburgh. One of Scotland’s five National Performing Arts Companies, the SCO performs throughout Scotland, including annual tours of the Scottish Highlands and Islands and South of Scotland. The SCO appears...
s, as well as I Musici
I Musici
I Musici is an Italian chamber orchestra from Rome formed in 1952. They are well known for their interpretations of Baroque and other works, particularly Antonio Vivaldi and Tomaso Albinoni....
, London and New York, and collaborated with the likes of Lynn Harrell
Lynn Harrell
Lynn Harrell is an American classical cellist.-Biography:Harrell was born in New York City of musician parents; his father was the baritone Mack Harrell and his mother, Marjorie Fulton, was a violinist. At the age of eight he decided to learn to play the cello. When Lynn was 12, his family moved...
, Zacarias, the Kreutzer and Brodsky Quartet
Brodsky Quartet
The Brodsky Quartet is a British string quartet, in existence since 1972, though only Ian Belton and Jacqueline Thomas are original members.In addition to performing classical music, and in particular the classic string quartet repertoire of Haydn, Beethoven, Schubert, Bartók and Shostakovich,...
s, and the Ensemble Modern
Ensemble Modern
Ensemble Modern is a chamber ensemble dedicated to the music of modern composers. Formed in 1980, the group is based in Frankfurt, Germany and made up variously of about twenty members from numerous countries....
, Frankfurt
Frankfurt
Frankfurt am Main , commonly known simply as Frankfurt, is the largest city in the German state of Hesse and the fifth-largest city in Germany, with a 2010 population of 688,249. The urban area had an estimated population of 2,300,000 in 2010...
.
He was assistant principal violist in the English Chamber Orchestra
English Chamber Orchestra
The English Chamber Orchestra is a British chamber orchestra based in London. The full orchestra regularly plays concerts at Cadogan Hall, and the ECO Ensemble performs at Wigmore Hall...
(1995–2000), co-founding member of the Mobius Ensemble (London 1997–2006) and is currently principal viola in the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra
Orquestra Simfònica de Barcelona
The Barcelona Symphony and Catalonia National Orchestra is a symphony orchestra based in Barcelona, Spain.-History:In addition to the Orquestra Simfònica del Gran Teatre del Liceu, founded in 1847 and devoted to opera and ballet, Barcelona has had several symphonic orchestras since 1888...
(from 2000), violist with the Zukerman Chamber Players
Zukerman Chamber Players
The Zukerman Chamber Players is a world-renowned chamber ensemble led by violinist and violist Pinchas Zukerman. Formed in 2003, they have performed over 40 concerts around the world and recorded two CDs....
and the string quintet led by Pinchas Zukerman
Pinchas Zukerman
Pinchas Zukerman is a world-renowned violinist, violist, and conductor. He is considered one of the greatest violinists of the 20th and 21st centuries, and his ongoing 45-year career has seen him perform with the world's best-known orchestras and record over 100 works...
. Pillai is Professor of Viola at ESMUC (Escola Superior de Música de Catalunya) (from 2001) and the Conservatori Superior del Liceu
Conservatori Superior de Música del Liceu
Conservatori Superior de Música del Liceu is a music college in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. It was created in 1837 with the name Liceo Filo-dramático de Montesión....
in Barcelona (from 2009).
As a recording artist, Pillai has recorded widely for EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
, Naxos
Naxos Records
Naxos Records is a record label specializing in classical music. Through a number of imprints, Naxos also releases genres including Chinese music, jazz, world music, and early rock & roll. The company was founded in 1987 by Klaus Heymann, a German-born resident of Hong Kong.Naxos is the largest...
, ASV
ASV Records
ASV Records is a London-based record label set up by Harley Usill, founder of Argo Records, Decca producer and former Argo General Manager, Kevin Daly, and producer Jack Boyce, after Argo's parent company Decca was bought by Polygram in 1980. ASV stands for "Academy Sound and Vision"...
, Altara
Altara
Altara is a fictional country in Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time fantasy series.-Geography:Altara is located between Illian and Amadicia. The river Eldar forms its western border.-Politics and government:...
, Meridian
Meridian Records
Meridian Records is a British independent record label based in London. It is a long established company having been founded in 1977 and has celebrated 34 years of recording in its reveered classical music 'natural sound'....
, Bel
Bel
Bel can mean:* bel , a unit of ratio used in acoustics, electronics, etc. A derived unit of 1 decibel = 0.1 B is often used.* Bel , a Semitic deity * Belenus aka Bel; a Celtic deity...
, Columna and Oehms Classics including sonatas by Bax
Arnold Bax
Sir Arnold Edward Trevor Bax, KCVO was an English composer and poet. His musical style blended elements of romanticism and impressionism, often with influences from Irish literature and landscape. His orchestral scores are noted for their complexity and colourful instrumentation...
, Debussy, Lluís Benejam, and Schubert
Franz Schubert
Franz Peter Schubert was an Austrian composer.Although he died at an early age, Schubert was tremendously prolific. He wrote some 600 Lieder, nine symphonies , liturgical music, operas, some incidental music, and a large body of chamber and solo piano music...
and concerti
Concerto
A concerto is a musical work usually composed in three parts or movements, in which one solo instrument is accompanied by an orchestra.The etymology is uncertain, but the word seems to have originated from the conjunction of the two Latin words...
by Hoffmeister
Franz Anton Hoffmeister
Franz Anton Hoffmeister was a German composer and music publisher.Born in Rottenburg am Neckar, he went to Vienna at the age of fourteen to study law...
and Mozart.
Discography
Viola- Kalliwoda and Schubert; Ashan Pillai (viola), Michael EndresMichael EndresMichael Endres is a German pianist.He was professor for piano from 1993 to 2004 at the Hochschule fuer Musik in Cologne, until 2009 at the Hochschule Hanns Eisler in Berlin—and since autumn 2009 has been professor for piano at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand.-Early...
(piano); Oehms Classics, OC591 (2007)
-
- Franz SchubertFranz SchubertFranz Peter Schubert was an Austrian composer.Although he died at an early age, Schubert was tremendously prolific. He wrote some 600 Lieder, nine symphonies , liturgical music, operas, some incidental music, and a large body of chamber and solo piano music...
– "Arpeggione" SonataArpeggione SonataThe Sonata in A minor for Arpeggione and Piano, D. 821, was written by Franz Schubert in Vienna in November 1824. The sonata is the only substantial composition for the arpeggione which remains extant today...
in A minor for viola and piano, D.821 - Johann Wenzel KalliwodaJan KalivodaJan Křtitel Václav Kalivoda , was a composer, conductor and violinist of Bohemian birth.-Life:...
– Six Nocturnes for viola and piano, Op.186 - Franz SchubertFranz SchubertFranz Peter Schubert was an Austrian composer.Although he died at an early age, Schubert was tremendously prolific. He wrote some 600 Lieder, nine symphonies , liturgical music, operas, some incidental music, and a large body of chamber and solo piano music...
– 5 Songs from "SchwanengesangSchwanengesangSchwanengesang is the title of a posthumous collection of songs by Franz Schubert.Unlike the earlier Die schöne Müllerin and Winterreise, it uses poems by three poets, Ludwig Rellstab , Heinrich Heine and Johann Gabriel Seidl . Schwanengesang has the number D 957 in the Deutsch catalogue...
", D.957 (arranged for viola and piano)- Heitor Villa-LobosHeitor Villa-LobosHeitor Villa-Lobos was a Brazilian composer, described as "the single most significant creative figure in 20th-century Brazilian art music". Villa-Lobos has become the best-known and most significant Latin American composer to date. He wrote numerous orchestral, chamber, instrumental and vocal works...
– Duo for Violin and Viola (1946); Ashan Pillai (viola), Philippe HonoréPhilippe HonoréPhilippe Honoré is a French-born violinist who has been a regular recitalist in both France and the United Kingdom. He has performed widely in broadcast recitals on French radio and television....
(violin); Naxos (2006) - Franz Anton HoffmeisterFranz Anton HoffmeisterFranz Anton Hoffmeister was a German composer and music publisher.Born in Rottenburg am Neckar, he went to Vienna at the age of fourteen to study law...
– Complete Works for Viola; Ashan Pillai (viola), Gulbenkian OrchestraGulbenkian OrchestraThe Gulbenkian Orchestra is a Portuguese symphony orchestra based in Lisbon. The orchestra primarily gives concerts at the Grande Auditório of the Gulbenkian Foundation....
, Christopher HogwoodChristopher HogwoodChristopher Jarvis Haley Hogwood CBE, MA , HonMusD , born 10 September 1941, Nottingham, is an English conductor, harpsichordist, writer and musicologist, well known as the founder of the Academy of Ancient Music.-Biography:...
(conductor); Oehms Classics, OC334 (2004)
- Heitor Villa-Lobos
- Concerto in B major for viola and orchestra
- Concerto in D major for viola and orchestra
- 12 Studies for solo viola
- Lluís Benejam – Sonata "Moments musicals" for viola and piano (1952); Ashan Pillai (viola), Albert Attenelle (piano); ASV Living Era (2004)
- Claude DebussyClaude DebussyClaude-Achille Debussy was a French composer. Along with Maurice Ravel, he was one of the most prominent figures working within the field of impressionist music, though he himself intensely disliked the term when applied to his compositions...
– Sonata for Flute, Viola and Harp; Ashan Pillai (viola), Lorna McGheeLorna McGheeLorna McGhee is currently on faculty at the University of British Columbia. Previously she was the co-principal flute of the BBC Symphony Orchestra. She moved to Canada in 1998. Lorna has performed in many orchestras, such as the London Symphony Orchestra, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, and...
(flute), Alison Nicholls (harp); EMI 73162 (2003) - Morceaux intimes; Ashan Pillai (viola), Alison Nicholls (harp), Lorna McGheeLorna McGheeLorna McGhee is currently on faculty at the University of British Columbia. Previously she was the co-principal flute of the BBC Symphony Orchestra. She moved to Canada in 1998. Lorna has performed in many orchestras, such as the London Symphony Orchestra, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, and...
(flute); Meridian (2002)
- Camille Saint-SaënsCamille Saint-SaënsCharles-Camille Saint-Saëns was a French Late-Romantic composer, organist, conductor, and pianist. He is known especially for The Carnival of the Animals, Danse macabre, Samson and Delilah, Piano Concerto No. 2, Cello Concerto No. 1, Havanaise, Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, and his Symphony...
– Le cygne (The Swan), from The Carnival of the Animals (transcription for viola and piano) - Claude DebussyClaude DebussyClaude-Achille Debussy was a French composer. Along with Maurice Ravel, he was one of the most prominent figures working within the field of impressionist music, though he himself intensely disliked the term when applied to his compositions...
– Beau soir (transcription for viola and piano) - Maurice RavelMaurice RavelJoseph-Maurice Ravel was a French composer known especially for his melodies, orchestral and instrumental textures and effects...
– Pavane pour une infante défunte (transcription for viola and piano) - Maurice RavelMaurice RavelJoseph-Maurice Ravel was a French composer known especially for his melodies, orchestral and instrumental textures and effects...
– Pièce en forme de habanera - Gabriel FauréGabriel FauréGabriel Urbain Fauré was a French composer, organist, pianist and teacher. He was one of the foremost French composers of his generation, and his musical style influenced many 20th century composers...
– Après un rêve, Op.7 (transcription for viola and piano)- Arnold BaxArnold BaxSir Arnold Edward Trevor Bax, KCVO was an English composer and poet. His musical style blended elements of romanticism and impressionism, often with influences from Irish literature and landscape. His orchestral scores are noted for their complexity and colourful instrumentation...
– Fantasy Sonata for viola and harp (1927); Ashan Pillai (viola), Alison Nicholls (harp); Naxos 8554507 (2000)
- Arnold Bax
- Franz Schubert
Chamber music
- Zukerman Chamber Players, Mozart and Dvořák Quintets; Altara ALT1025 (2007)
- Zukerman Chamber Players, Mozart and Brahms Quintets; Altara ALT1011 (2005)
-
- Wolfgang Amadeus MozartWolfgang Amadeus MozartWolfgang Amadeus Mozart , baptismal name Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart , was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical era. He composed over 600 works, many acknowledged as pinnacles of symphonic, concertante, chamber, piano, operatic, and choral music...
– String Quintet in C major, K.515 - Johannes BrahmsJohannes BrahmsJohannes Brahms was a German composer and pianist, and one of the leading musicians of the Romantic period. Born in Hamburg, Brahms spent much of his professional life in Vienna, Austria, where he was a leader of the musical scene...
– String Quintet No.2 in G major, Op.111- Herbert HowellsHerbert HowellsHerbert Norman Howells CH was an English composer, organist, and teacher, most famous for his large output of Anglican church music.-Life:...
: Chamber Music; Mobius; Naxos 8557188 (2005)
- Herbert Howells
- Rhapsodic Quintet for clarinet and string quartet, Op.31 (1919)
- Jean FrançaixJean FrançaixJean René Désiré Françaix was a French neoclassical composer, pianist, and orchestrator, known for his prolific output and vibrant style.-Life:...
– Three Quintets; Mobius; ASV Digital CD DCA 1090 (2000)
- Jean Françaix
- Quintet for clarinet and string quartet (1977)
- Quintet No.1 for flute, violin, viola, cello and harp (1934)
- Quintet No.2 for flute, violin, viola, cello and harp (1989)
- Heitor Villa-LobosHeitor Villa-LobosHeitor Villa-Lobos was a Brazilian composer, described as "the single most significant creative figure in 20th-century Brazilian art music". Villa-Lobos has become the best-known and most significant Latin American composer to date. He wrote numerous orchestral, chamber, instrumental and vocal works...
– Chamber Music; Mobius; Naxos 8557765 (2006)
- Heitor Villa-Lobos
- Quintet for flute, violin, viola, cello and harp, W 538 (1957)
- Duo for violin and viola, W 463 (1946)
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart