A SYMPHONY BY BEETHOVEN AND THE PREMIERE OF VASKS’ VIOLA CONCERTO
Johann Wolfgang Goethe first encountered Ludwig van Beethoven when the composer was a young man, later writing that the unusual personality of the composer was far less amazing that his unusual spark of talent. The debut of Beethoven’s 7th Symphony in December 1813 fired up the patriotism of many Viennese residents who were tired of the wars of Napoleon. Something similar can be said of this year’s birthday boy, Pēteris Vasks, whose musical prayers for peace have inspired people all around the world. It is delightful that during his jubilee year, his new opuses come home like birds from overseas so that they can be premiered in Latvia. Among them is the long-awaited Alto Concerto, which was debuted in May this year and was composed for the exciting Grammy nominee Maxim Rysanov, a violist who has the strings of Giya Kancheli’s music in his heart.
Programme
Ludwig van Beethoven and Pēteris Vasks
Participants
Maxim Rysanov (viola)
Sinfonietta Rīga