Double bass and piano are a duo you don’t happen to hear often. Such an instrumental duo is a rarity first of all because there are no more virtuoso double bass players in the world. However, Latvian Gunārs Upatnieks has not only reached the top of this instrument’s game, winning prizes in international competitions, but has also been able to convince one of the most outstanding European orchestras of his mastery – Berlin Philharmonic, where they have been playing since 2011.
The program chosen by the duo will include German lyrics, Robert Schuman’s singing melody in cello-composed miniatures in “national style”, a real Italian double bass repertoire created by a Lombard player, Giovanni Botezermi in the sonata, which was originally composed for violin, but in the concert will sound the string group ‘s most primitive and lowest instrument in solo performance in the arrangement created by Upatnieks himself.
“Personally is a favorite chamber music series of our listeners, which allows not only to get acquainted with the repertoire of various genres from several parts of the world, but also to meet in person with artists in free post – concert conversations over a sparkling drink or a cup of coffee. We are very proud that even in these difficult times, our offer remains diverse and high-quality. The best of the best are selected to delight our listeners in exciting concert programs on monthly Sunday afternoons, “says Baiba Bartkeviča, the artistic director of the Liepāja Concert Hall, in anticipation of the new season of the concert series.
Gunārs Upatnieks studied at the J. Vītols Latvian Academy of Music with Sergejs Brīnums, L. Janāček at the Music Academy in Brno, Czech Republic with Professor Miloslav Jelinek and is currently supplementing his knowledge with doctoral studies at the Mannheim University of Music and Theater in Germany with Professor Petru Juga. Already at the age of 22 he became the concertmaster of the double bass group of the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra. 2010/2011 He has been the second concertmaster of the double bass group of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra in the 2011 season, has been a musician of the Berlin Philharmonic since 2011, and has been playing in the string quintet formed by the Berlin Philharmonic since 2019. In parallel with the work of the orchestra and chamber music projects, in collaboration with outstanding soloists, Gunārs Upatnieks is a professor of double bass in Hans Eisler’s Berlin Academy of Music. During his career, he has performed throughout Europe and the United States, played under Maris Jansons, Andris Nelsons, Lawrence Renaissance, Olari Elts, Anna Tali, Mstislav Rostropovich and other masters.
Lauma Skride is a sought-after chamber musician and soloist in Europe and elsewhere in the world. The fairy is Beethoven’s ring Winner of 2008 and her play is highly valued especially in German classical and romantic music. In addition to Joseph Haydn and Robert Schuman, the pianist’s extensive repertoire includes such rarities as the opuses of Fania Mendelssohn and Clara Schuman. The musician performs with Andris Nelsons, Kristjan Jervis, Anna Tali, Pēteris Ružičks, Jonas Stūrgords, Jan Pascal Tortelier, Cornelius Master, as well as with several chamber music partners, including violinist Anna Sofija Mutere, cellists Daniel Millin-Schots, Scott Miller-Schott Gabeta, Julian Stekel, a trio with sister Baiba Skride and cellist Harriet Craig, cellist Anastasia Kobekina, clarinetist David Orlovsky and a number of other musicians in Germany and the Netherlands. Lauma Skride has recorded Fania Henzele’s piano cycle Gads (The Year) sound recording house Sony in 2007 and received for this entry ECHO Klassic award as the best young musician of the year.
Concert series Personally Events of the autumn season of 2021:
Sunday, Oct. 3, at 15.00 Gunārs Upatnieks & Lauma Skride. Reflections of romance;
Sunday, Oct. 24, at 15.00 Carion Quintet. Venice Carnival;
Sunday, Nov. 28, at 15.00 Trio Palladio. Masterpieces of chamber music;
Sunday, Dec. 12, at 15.00 Trio Ahlberg, Ek & Roswall. Swedish folk music
Large amber concert series Personally After the concert, visitors to the gallery on the 2nd floor will have the opportunity to meet musicians to enjoy leisurely conversations in an informal atmosphere.
Tickets available Ticket paradises at network ticket offices throughout Latvia, on the website www.bilesuparadize.lv and a concert hall information center.
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