Peter Vasks anniversary concert “Presence” / Article / LSM.lv

On Friday, April 16, on the birthday of Pēteris Vasks, a concert dedicated to the composer’s 75th anniversary is expected to be broadcast live from the concert hall “Cēsis”. The compositions of Pēteris Vasks’ symphonic, choir and chamber music will be performed in the concert hall by this year’s residency artists – violinist Kristīne Balana and cellist Margarita Balana, Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, State Academic Choir “Latvija” and two conductors – Andris Poga and Māris Sirmas.

The concert will be broadcast on Latvian Radio 3 “Klasika” at 7 pm, but will be shown on Latvian Television Channel 1 and the portal LSM.lv at 9 pm.

The multi-layered program of the anniversary concert has been created by conductors Andris Poga and Māris Sirmais in close cooperation with the composer himself. All the edges of Vasks’ creative work will shine in it – the older work “Lauda” created for the orchestra, dedicated to the 150th birthday of Krišjānis Barons, the performance of the choir “Latvija” by Jānis Peters, as well as “Laudate Dominum” – opus will be performed. in which, as Peter Vasks himself admits, his view of life and the fact that man is ultimately mortal, but spirit and spiritual values ​​are immortal.

The soloists of the concert will be the artists of this year’s residence of the concert hall “Cēsis” – violinist Kristīne Balanas and cellist Margarita Balanas. In the duo, they will perform Vasco’s poetic and figurative composition “Landscapes of the Plain”, while Kristīne Balanas together with the LNSO will perform Fantasy for Violin and String Orchestra “Vox Amoris” – a glorification of the greatest force in the world – love.

“Peter Vasks’ music always resonates with the soul. From the first sound of the “Landscape of Plains” we are lifted above the ground – in a long, meditative world, where time stops. This is one of my favorite compositions by Pēteris Vasks, in which we can once again feel a person’s close connection with nature, ”cellist Margarita Balanas reveals her feelings.

Violinist Kristīne Balanas is looking forward to this concert, as she will play Pēteris Vasks’ “Vox Amoris” for the first time: “This fantasy is full of hope and love, which in this difficult and unpredictable time will allow us to feel the power of these most important emotions. . ”

The organizers of the concert emphasize that the live broadcast of the anniversary concert of Pēteris Vasks “Presence” will take place in strict compliance with the epidemiological regulations established in the country. The concert is supported by the Ministry of Culture, the State Culture Capital Fund and Cēsis Municipality.

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