Featuring:
Vestards ŠIMKUS (piano)
Liepāja Symphony Orchestra
Conductor Guntis KUZMA
Part I
Olivier MESSIAEN (1908-1992) "The Forgotten Offerings"
Ottorino RESPIGHI (1879-1936) Piano Concerto in Modo Misolidio
I. Moderato
II. Lento
III. Allegro energico
Part II
Rihards DUBRA (1964) Symphony No.3 (première)
I. Euphoria irrationalis
II. Triste canticum spei
III. Deliramentum stultaei amentiae... Libera nos a malo
Liepāja Symphony Orchestra will premiere his Symphony No.3 in the “Lielais dzintars” Concert Hall. The special guest of the concert, pianist Vestards Šimkus, will complement the concert programme with the music of the grand master of colors of the Italian orchestra, Ottorino Respighi.
Olivier MESSIAEN (1908-1992)
One of the most influential composers of the 20th century was not only a brilliant musician but also a deeply religious person. His music is saturated with spirituality, and "Forgotten Offerings" is no exception.
The work is programmatic, and its three movements, played without pause, reflect the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for humanity: "The Crucifixion," "Sin," and the third movement – "The Eucharist" or Holy Communion, during which believers remember Jesus' sacrifice and unite with him on a spiritual level. It is an expression of gratitude and communion where people receive spiritual strength and encouragement in their faith journey. Different denominations have different interpretations of the nature of the Eucharist, but they all emphasize its importance in the spiritual lives of believers.
"Forgotten Offerings" was written for two pianos after graduating from the Paris Conservatory in 1930. Later, the work was orchestrated and premiered on February 19, 1931, at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris. The composer had just turned 22, and it was his first work to be performed by an orchestra, as well as his first encounter with a wide audience.
In "Forgotten Offerings," the composer uses unusual sound combinations and rhythms, creating a mystical and meditative atmosphere. Listeners are invited on an inner journey where they can explore the deepest longings of their souls and find solace in the beauty of the music.
Messiaen, who himself suffered from a severe eye disease, was able to see beauty and light even in the most difficult moments of life. His music is like a ray of hope in the darkness, calling for inner peace and transcendence.
Ottorino RESPIGHI (1879-1936)
Ottorino Respighi was an Italian composer, violinist, teacher, and musicologist, and one of the leading Italian composers of the early 20th century. His works include operas, ballets, orchestral suites, choral songs, chamber music, and arrangements of 16th-18th century Italian compositions. However, Respighi himself highly valued his Piano Concerto in the Mixolydian Mode. He believed it would endure when all his other works were forgotten.
The Piano Concerto was inspired by the Italian singer Elsa Olivieri-Sangiacomo, the composer's wife, who was studying Gregorian chant. These chants captured Respighi's attention, and quickly recognizing the melodic potential of this music, he sought to transform them into a contemporary style that would appeal to a wider audience.
Respighi wrote the Piano Concerto in the summer of 1925 and immediately gave it to the publisher. Due to the composer's almost superstitious dislike of revisiting the past, the work was never revised.
The concerto premiered at Carnegie Hall in New York, with Respighi himself playing the piano with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra.
The concerto is written in three movements.
The first movement begins with a quote from Viri Galilaei. The opening E-flat note in the orchestra is followed by a piano solo playing a Gregorian chant.
The second movement is written in ternary form, quoting the hymn "Alleluia", while the third movement is structured as a passacaglia, or variations on a ground bass. This movement quotes the hymn "Kyrie".
"Kyrie" in Greek means "Lord", and it is one of the words Christians use to address God. Interestingly, this word has remained almost unchanged throughout the centuries and in different languages. It can be heard both in ancient Gregorian chant chorales and in contemporary church hymns.
Vestards ŠIMKUS (1984)
Vestards Šimkus gained international recognition after winning several competitions, including 1st prize at the Maria Canals International Piano Competition in Barcelona (2009). Collaborations with conductors such as Andris Nelsons, Vasily Sinaisky, Karel Mark Chichon, and Teodor Currentzis followed, as well as solo concerts and chamber music performances in Europe, the USA, the Middle East, China, and Japan.
Vestards Šimkus has been awarded the Estonian Order of the White Star, the Polish Gold Order for his performance in concerts dedicated to the 200th anniversary of Frederic Chopin, and the Latvian Grand Music Award (2002, 2009, and 2019). Notably, in 2009, he was nominated for the Grand Music Award in two categories – "Concert of the Year" and "For Outstanding Interpretation", both for the performance of Pēteris Vasks' "Seasons" cycle. It was with Pēteris Vasks that Vestards Šimkus studied composition at the Dārziņš Music School.
Šimkus has written two piano concertos – one in collaboration with the orchestra "Sinfonietta Rīga", and the other – Concerto for Piano and Choir "In My Favorable Darkness" - with the Latvian Radio Choir.
Vestard Shimkus has received the "Lielais Kristaps" award twice – in 2016 for the music for Laila Pakalniņa's film "Ausma" and in 2018 for the music for Giedre Beinorjūte's film "Breath in Marble". He participated in the concert performance "Novecento" directed by Dmitrijs Petrenko, based on the story by Alessandro Baricco, not only as the performer of the Pianist but also as the author of the music for the performance. Vestards Šimkus has recorded ten albums.
In 2022, the album "Shimkus plays Shimkus" was released under the SKANI label, recorded with the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra conducted by Atvars Lakstīgala. It includes the First Concerto for Piano and String Orchestra "Dedicated to the Inconvenient Man", "Dream Landscapes" (nine études for piano), and "The Gates of Destiny" for piano and symphony orchestra.
Rihards DUBRA (1964)
Rihards Dubra is an internationally known Latvian composer who has gained the widest recognition in the genres of sacred choral music, and his works reflect his interest in ancient music, especially the Gregorian chorale. Mr.Dubra acknowledges such composers as Giya Kancheli, Arvo Pärt and John Tavener as his like-minded colleagues in music, in whose works sacred music is also of great importance.
In his emotionally intense new work, Rihards Dubra has included deep reflections on the most topical issues of the moment – the destructive nature of evil and the struggle mankind is facing because of it. The composer has used music as a means to express his deep thoughts about the role of a man in the modern world, never fearing to experiment with different means of musical expression.
"The Symphony No.3 is full of unpleasant feelings, which unfortunately surround us during these times," says Rihards Dubra. "I just can't stay ignorant, that's why my indignation about the evil that is happening, about the indifference of many world’s "powerful" people, and valuing money above human life is reflected in this music. I've chosen quite silly titles for the outermost parts to emphasize the destructive nature of evil. The music is aggressive, sometimes whimsical, grotesque and ironic. In the second movement the sounds will spill out the pain and suffering that evil has brought to people. The mockery of evil continues in the third movement, which ends with a plea for help, marked with the Latin "Libera me" at the end of the movement title, which might sound a bit naive, while aiming to describe the sometimes overwhelming powerlessness. This symphony is hard work that required a lot of emotional energy."
Earlier, in an interview with Latvian Radio 3, the composer said that he would be happy if he could write a piece that could stop the war. "But, since this is not possible, with my music I try to bring hope at least."
The Concert is supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia, the State Cultural Capital Foundation and Liepāja City.
INFORMATION FOR OUR VISITORS:
Discounts:
Pupils, students, disabled persons, pensioners – 3 euros
3+ family card holders – 30%
Teachers, lecturers and medical workers – 20%
Groups (10 or more people) – 20%
When purchasing group tickets online, please send an e-mail to sales@lso.lv
When attending the concert, the visitor must present a document certifying their eligibility to a discount.
Useful:
The concert is accessible to people with hearing impairments, as the induction loop function will be activated during it. Based on the experiences of people with hearing impairments when trying this system, the best listening experience is possible in seats in the center parterre area from rows 5 to 12 - from 6 to 28.
