Do you know that Marģeris Zariņš wrote “Poem about milk” for his 70th concert / Article

“Poem about milk” is one of the last compositions, about which Marģeris Zariņš wrote in a letter to his friend, literary scholar Harry Hirš (1937-2007), on February 23, 1980, asking him for feedback to give about the latest achievements in literature:[..] Right now, I’m busy writing again – I’m writing “Poem about milk” with poetry by Ziedonis for two choirs and organ, it will be good if it doesn’t fail”.

In the letter, the man who made the song says that he is preparing for his 70th birthday. With the word “grandiose”, Marģeris Zariņš meant not only the composition of the actors, but by choosing contemporary writing techniques, he expanded his stylistic rainbow even more. The composer himself was very passionate about his idea, which he presented poetically and in true “twig” style in 1980 to the magazine “Karogs” at the end of “Literary Autobiography”:

“What do I do now? In literature – nothing! I am as empty as a burnt plinth. However, my sound battery has been full for a while. Borrowing, I am writing music for “Poem for milk” by Imanta Ziedonis two choirs, organ and bell.

A poem about Mir Marah, the beginning and the end of life, coming from all sides, rushing… Only Marah, an Indian fakir, knows whether I will do it or not. But I’ll try to behave like a man.”

Although “Poem for Milk” was supposed to be presented as the main piece of the program at Marģers Zariņš’s 70th birthday concert on June 19, 1980 in the Great Hall of the University of Latvia, it was introduced to a wider audience in April 4 of the same year as part of the plenary session of the Union of Writers of the Latvian SSR.

In the premiere of the poem, in addition to the anniversary concert, the State Academic Choir and the women’s choir “Dzintars” took part under the direction of conductor Imantas Cepīš.

In the reviews of the whole session of the Union of Writers, you can read that “Poem about milk” by Marħeras Zariņš was more surprised by its contemporary nature than the work of his younger colleagues. It is interesting that from the reviews found in the journals, it can be understood that the original intention of Marħer Zariņš was to write a multi-part work, this is also suggested by the review of the music historian Vijas Briedes in newspaper “Cīņa” about what was heard. in the tide. Vija Briede says that the second part of “Poems about milk” “May” was performed and that

“Once again, we are surprised at how organically, directly and vitally the author feels the currents of truth in art. Through an echo of the ancient customs of the spring, through an image that seems realistic, philosophical and at the same time – a surprisingly lively generalization! interesting work, encouraging you to wait for the premiere of each part on the poet’s birthday.”

In the archive of Latvian Radio, there are two records dated April 4 and June 19 of the same year, respectively, not showing the above intention for a multi-part work. Reviews, reviews and other means of criticism about the author’s 70th anniversary concert, which will confirm the idea of ​​​​producing a multi-part composition, are also missing.

Even though the composer liked to iron and joke about life issues, “Poem about milk” shows a completely different Marħeri Zariņa – more philosophical and, in a sense, more dramatic. It seems that, shortly after the first appearance, “Poem about milk”, perhaps because of its complexity, has been “rested” on the shelf for almost 45 years and a ‘wait for recovery.

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