Pēteris Vasks’ Violin Concerto “In the Evening Light” premiered in Cēsis / Article

Accompanied by the applause of the audience, the second violin concert “In the Evening Light” by the composer Pēteris Vasks experienced the Latvian premiere in the concert hall “Cēsis”. The new work was performed by the British violinist Hugo Tičati, who lives in Sweden, together with the chamber orchestra “Sinfonietta Rīga” conducted by Normunds Šnē.

Composer Pēteris Vasks has been waiting for the premiere of his new work in Latvia for six months. In honor of the composer’s 75th anniversary, this event was planned in Cēsis Concert Hall in April. The author has found inspiration for creating a new work here even in Latvian nature.

“Evening light” includes all my ideals, my love, my dreams – fulfilled unfulfilled, all this together in this evening light. There, every note is sore, felt and I am responsible for every note, there I have put everything I can put or in any of my compositions, ”said the composer.

Peter Vasks created the new violin concert for Swedish violinist Hugo Tičati, who lives in Sweden. The composer describes him as an artist who can feel the music and his violin playing as a virtuoso with all his heart. Both artists emphasize that we are relatives of the spirit.

“It seems to me that this is very characteristic of Peter, much of his music: this dialogue between opposites, between our suffering, our efforts, but at the same time, this beautiful transcendence. On the one hand, this is the embodiment of the passionate experience of life on earth, and then the light comes and leads us again, ”Titchati noted.

Listeners in the concert hall “Cēsis” accompanied Vaska’s violin concert with grand applause and standing ovations. The addressees, on the other hand, admitted that what they had heard was thought-provoking, because a new sound, hitherto uncharacteristic of the author, was revealed in Pēteris Vasks’ new work.

In June, the concert had its world premiere in Stockholm, performed by Tichati’s own orchestra. However, the author is especially thrilled to hear the new work at home, in Latvia.

“I am so happy, so happy, it has finally happened. I needed it in the spring, but now in the autumn, but even more beautiful, ”admitted Vasks.

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