Independence Day Concert in Latvia: Celebrating with Soloists, Orchestra, and Choir at Concert Hall ‘Latvija’

Saturday, May 4, at At 16.00 in the concert hall “Latvija” there will be a concert celebrating the Independence Day of the Republic of Latvia, in which the soloists Gunta Gelgote (soprano), Rinalds Kandalintsevs (baritone ), Zane Volberga (piano), Gidons Grīnbergs (violin). ), the Ventspils Chamber Orchestra and the mixed choir “Ventspils” will participate, under the direction of the artistic director of the concert, Aigaras Meri. The event will be led by musicologist Liene Jakovljeva.

Opening the concert, Jānis Vītoliņš, chairman of the Ventspils city council, will give a holiday speech.

The famous cantata “Wonderland” by Pēteris Barisons will be performed at the concert. The composer of this song completed the piece in 1938, when it also had its first performance at a live concert of Radiophone of Latvia. Developing the message contained in the poem by Jānis Akurater about the mythical land of Atlantis that sank into the ocean, the composer of the cantata has highlighted the light sound of childhood memories in a new musical-picture expression.

The compositions of the writers Pēteras Butāns, Jānis Kalniņš, Selgas Mences, Andras Sējānas, Jēkab Jančevskis, Evijas Skuķes and other authors were also selected for the program of the holiday celebration.

“Peter Barison is celebrating his 120th birthday this year. Therefore, I considered it my duty to introduce this masterpiece of Latvian vocal symphonic music into the Christmas concert program. This time, the cantata will be performed with piano accompaniment, thus highlighting the chamber music aspects of the piece. I am really looking forward to working with Rinalda Kandalintseva, whom I often hear on the LNOB stage in several repertoire shows. I hope that Rinalda’s light baritone, with special power, will mix with Guntas Gelgote’s clear soprano and that it will be a joy for the concert audience.

Jānis Kalniņš is also celebrating his 120th birthday this year. The audience of the Ventspils holiday concert will hear the third part of the piece “Music for Strings”. The solo violin part in this piece, as well as the third part of Pēter Butāns movement “Holiday Music”, performed by one of the brightest Latvian violinists – Gidons Grīnbergs,” the selected program and the sound explained by the artistic director of the concert, Aigars Meri.

The concert is organized by SIA “Kurzemes filharmonija” with financial support from the city of Ventspils, and its attendance is traditionally free. Free admission cards will be available from April 23 at 12.00 at the box office of the concert hall “Latvija”. One person will receive up to four entry cards.

We would like to inform you that it is possible to take photographs and video recordings during the event for the needs of the organizer. The materials obtained will be used for publicity purposes of the event, on the website and social network accounts of the concert hall “Latvija”.