“I usually celebrate my birthday with friends and relatives, although it doesn’t always work out,” says the young and talented pianist Aurelija Šimkus. On November 2, she celebrated her 26th birthday.
An excellent pianist and a real discovery
“For example, last year I was in the USA, where I celebrated my birthday in the company of musicians – playing concerts. Many celebrations were also held in Germany and Sweden, where I went to study right after high school. That’s why I’m glad that I’m in Latvia this year,” says Aurelija.
The international career of pianist Aurelija Šimkus, rarely heard in Latvia, began at the age of 16, when the German record company “Ars Produktion” released her solo album “Scherzo”, which the magazine “Piano News” recognized as the album of the month, writing that “Aurelija Šimkus is an excellent pianist and a real discovery”. For his second solo album «Bach. Ich ruf’ uz Dir» Aurelia won Europe’s most prestigious classical music award «Echo Klassik» in the «Young Artist of the Year» category. She has participated in the festivals “Interlaken Classics”, “Kissingen Summer”, the Schumann Festival in Bonn, performed at the Berlin Philharmonic, Zurich’s Tonhalle and Dortmund’s “Konzerthaus”, played with the English Chamber Orchestra, the Warsaw Symphony Orchestra, etc.
Together with Elina and yet separately
Aurelia has a special memory of her birthday, when she had a solo concert in Germany. That was a few years ago. “After the last song, my manager came on stage, said a few words to the audience, set the tone, and the audience sang “Happy Birthday” to me in a polyphonic chorus. It was very touching,” the jubilarian recalls with pleasure.
It is interesting that Aurelia’s birthday is the same as her brother Vestard’s wife, opera singer Elina Šimkus – she was also born on November 2 and will celebrate her 41st birthday this year.
“It is really a very unusual occurrence. Yes, Elina and I are both November 2 sisters. Although I often spend time with my brother’s family every day, we usually celebrate our common birthday separately.»
Surprise and delight yourself
Aurelia says that she has been living in Latvia again since the spring of this year.
“Although the threat is increasing in the world as a whole, I still have the feeling that Latvia has become even brighter than it was a few years ago, when I studied in secondary school in Riga. People are warm and full of motivation. Maybe it’s a subjective opinion,» says the pianist. And yet, the atmosphere of the song and dance festival and the success of Latvian athletes in the world this summer created such an uplift in society that she had not felt in recent years in Latvia.
“This summer was really nice and full of beautiful moments. I spent the whole of June on musical trips abroad. In July and August, I also managed to travel more around Latvia, meet new friends,” says Aurelija and explains that her favorite free time activity is hiking. When she feels very tired and wants to have a good rest, she puts the essentials in a small backpack, reserves a lodge in the place she wants to go, and on the way thinks of a hiking route. “The less I plan, the better I manage to surprise and please myself.”
Opportunity to improve in Italy
Since October, the talented pianist has been given the opportunity to improve artistically in Italy, at the prestigious Imola Academy (“Imola Academy”), which is known for its traditions – many laureates of international piano competitions studied there and improved their musical skills.
“At the same time, I also studied in the master’s program at the Jāzeps Vītolas Academy of Music of Latvia, where I was given advice and support by my wonderful teacher, professor Sergejs Osokins, with whom I had a long-term cooperation even during school,” says Aurēlija.
The closest opportunity to see and hear the performance of the young pianist on stage will be on November 22 at the Small Guild at the 23rd International Bach Chamber Music Festival organized by harpsichordist Aina Kalnciemas, which will take place this year from November 4 to December 2 – in a concert program together with the young pianist Daumanta Liepiņa.
“We will play a very special program for piano duet, which shortly before that we will also play in a couple of concerts in Germany,” says Aurelia, adding that the program will include compositions by Johann Sebastian Bach, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Johann Christian Bach.
Two important debuts in Latvia
Another program of the piano duet, which Aurelija is already looking forward to, will take place on February 24 next year at the Riga cultural center “Ola Foundation”.
“At this concert, I will perform together with Tony Young, and this will be the second time that my friend and colleague from Canada will perform in Latvia.”
At the beginning of next year, two important debuts are expected for Aurelia in Latvia – a solo concert at the Liepāja Stars Festival, as well as a debut with the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, playing Beethoven’s Fifth Piano Concerto. “We have played together with the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra before, but this will be the first serious concert of the season,” adds the pianist.
Likes light and warmth
Even though she was born in the dark and wet time of the year, the jubilee could not say that the autumn/winter months are her favorite.
“I like light and warmth more. Although this year September was unusually summery and from time to time I also get to go to a warmer place outside of Latvia, where I can remember the feeling of summer, this year I feel autumn a bit like an extension of summer. With a touch of coolness, of course…» Aurelia adds with a smile.
On her birthday, wish her to be patient and live more in gratitude for what is given.
2023-11-11 11:01:36
#Aurelia #Šimkus #spontaneous #choices
