On November 30, at 18:00, in honour of the 60th anniversary of the composer Rihards Dubra the 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.
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 Liepāja Symphony Orchestra has already premiered the music of Rihards Dubra multiple times (The Third Liepāja Concert, The Symphony No.2, Double concerto for harp and percussion “Concert pour Deux Dames”, opus for solo vibraphone “Magnolia”), and in 2019, the opera “Suitu saga” was written on commission from the Orchestra. A year later, the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of the conductor Atvars Lakstīgala, performed the composer's Second Symphony “Mystery of His Birth” (SKANI Record Company).
The programme will be enriched with the Piano Concerto in Modo Misolidio by Ottorino Respighi, the great master of colors of the Italian orchestra, which will be performed by the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra accompanied by the audience's favored pianist, Vestards Šimkus, as well as "The Forgotten Offerings" by French composer Olivier Messiaen.
Tickets for the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra concerts can be purchased at “Biļešu paradīze” ticket offices.
The Concert is supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia, the State Cultural Capital Foundation and Liepāja City.
