Ashan Pillai
Gregg T. Alf Concert Viola 1992 “GA9862”
“Gregg Alf´s beautiful copy of the Gaspar da Salo viola which my teacher, Donald McInnes used to play, has been in my hands now for thirty years (made in 1992). It first served me very well in competitions, and then superlatively well in the profession as an orchestral principal, chamber musician and soloist. Apart from being exquisite to look at, it projects incredibly well, has a deep tenor tone on the lower strings and a sweet mezzo tone on the A string. What is more , it has improved with time! The various sound adjustments and revisions have been done over the years my Rene Morel ( New York) in 1994, Charles Beare ( London) in 1997, Jose Lozano ( Madrid ) in 2000 and Merce Sole ( Barcelona) from 2003 ; all have been very impressed with Gregg´s work of art. I could not ask for any more of an instrument, despite being offered older and very highly valued instruments to play. This Gaspar da Salo copy has been christened, ´Sebastian¨, after the martyred saint.
I have to thank the Abbado Trust, Donald McInnes and of course Gregg Alf for helping me acquire this jewel which I hope to play for a very long time yet.”
Ashan Pillai
Ashan Pillai is now widely recognised as one of the leading violists and pedagogues based in Southern Europe.
Early competition successes led to critically acclaimed recital debuts in London and New York (Wigmore Hall, Purcell Room and Carnegie Hall) and long collaborations as soloist and chamber musician with Christopher Hogwood, Christian Zacarias and Pinchas Zukerman amongst others.
As a result he has performed throughout the world as chamber musician and soloist in the most important festivals including, Schleswig Holstein (Germany), Casals (Spain, Puerto Rico and France), Kuhkmo (Finland), Ravinia, Aspen, Tanglewood, Sarasota (United States), Salzburg (Austria), The Proms (London) etc, and as soloist with the English, Scottish, Andorran , Czech Chamber Orchestras, the Gulbenkian Orchestra, Lisbon, Ensemble Modern ( Frankfurt)and London and New York Music.
Ashan Pillai, born in Srilanka of British nationality, studied in London (Royal Academy of Music), Los Angeles (University of Southern California) and New York (Juilliard School) with John White, Karen Tuttle and Donald McInnes. Between 1994 and 1997 he won special prizes at Tertis and Rome International Competitions as well as Royal Overseas League, Park Lane Group and Artist International.
He was a founding member of Mobius Chamber Ensemble, and member of the English Chamber Orchestra Ensemble and violist in the Zukerman Chamber Players in its quintet form. He has recorded prolifically for EMI, Bel, Naxos, ASV, Verso, Columna, Altara, Oehms Classics and SGAE labels and his discography includes the most comprehensive collection of Spanish repertoire for solo viola and viola and piano.
He has premiered many chamber works including some by Wolfgang Rihm, Gavin Bryars and Krystof Penderecki and many works by Spanish composers including Leonardo Balada, Anton Garcia Abril, Jordi Cervello, Lluis Benejam, Francisco Felta and Benet Casablancas among others.
From 1995-2000 he was assistant principal viola in the English Chamber Orchestra and from 2000 based in Barcelona as Principal Viola in the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra, Profesor of Viola at Conservatory Superior (ESMUC) and the Liceo Conservatories in Barcelona and visiting Professor at the University Alfonso X in Madrid. He has given and regularly gives masterclasses throughout the world.
He plays a Gregg Alf viola (after Gaspar de Salo) made in 1992 in Michigan.