FROM NEW TALENTS TO GREAT MASTER
Already for the third year in a row, the Liepāja International Star Festival will be opened by the young stars – the winners of the Valdis Vikmanis’ Latvian Young Artist Competition, creating a unique musical adventure where the passion of the young ones meets the maturity of experienced masters.
In 2024 the winner of the competition, Elza Siliņa, won in the START category in the prestigious Latvian public media award “Kilogram of Culture” for her performance of the 1st movement of Jean Sibelius's Violin Concerto, thus confirming the great skills of young Latvian talents.
In the second part of the concert, the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra will perform together with the distinguished cellist Daniel Müller-Schott, showcasing his virtuosity in Camille Saint-Saëns' timeless Cello Concerto No. 1.
Daniel Müller-Schott, celebrated worldwide for his deeply expressive interpretations and technical brilliance, joins forces with the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra under the baton of conductor Guntis Kuzma. This collaboration promises an evening of musical splendour, blending Müller-Schott's artistry with the orchestra's rich heritage and Kuzma's enthusiastic leadership. Daniel Müller-Schott is one of the most sought-after cellists in the world. “The New York Times” refers to his “intensive expressiveness” and describes him as a “fearless player with technique to burn”.
Featuring:
Daniel Müller-Schott (cello)
Liepāja Symphony Orchestra
Conductor Guntis Kuzma
Winners of Valdis Vikmanis’ Latvian Young Performers Competition:
Teisija Terēze Puncule (saxophone)
Rūta Zaure (piano)
Sofija Vasecka (violin)
Paula Marta Jonuša (saxophone)
Part I
Paule Maurice (1910-1967) "Pictures of Provence"
Solo: Teisija Terēze Puncule (saxophone)
II. Song for my love
III. The Bohemian woman, or The Gypsy
IV. A Sigh on the soul for the Alyscamps
V. The Southern Hornet
Henryk Wieniawski (1835-1880) Fantasia Brilliante on Themes from Gounod's "Faust"
Solo: Sofija Vasecka (violin)
Ronald Binge (1910-1979) Concerto for Alto Saxophone
Solo: Paula Marta Jonuša (saxophone)
I. Allegro spirituoso
II. Romance
III. Rondo Allegro Giocoso
II daļa
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) Piano Concerto No. 13, 1st movement
Solo: Rūta Zaure (piano)
Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921) Cello Concerto No. 1
Solo: Daniel Müller-Schott (cello)
I. Allegro non troppo
II. Allegretto con moto
III. Tempo primo
Camille Saint-Saëns (1835–1921) was a French composer, pianist, organist, and conductor of the Romantic era. He is known for his versatile contributions to music, creating works in various genres, including operas, symphonies, concertos, and chamber music.
His notable works include "Danse macabre" (1874), the opera "Samson and Delilah" (1877), the "Organ Symphony" (1886), and "The Carnival of the Animals" (1886). Saint-Saëns was also the first composer to create music for a film, composing the piece " The Assassination of the Duke of Guise" (1908).
Saint-Saëns was renowned for his exceptional technical mastery and ability to combine classical forms with Romantic expressive means, making his music both intellectually rich and emotionally captivating.
Cello Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op. 33, is an outstanding Romantic-era work that has significantly enriched the cello repertoire.
The concerto stands out for its continuous three-movement structure, where the sections flow seamlessly into one another without interruption:
Allegro non troppo: The concerto begins with an energetic and dramatic theme, with the cello immediately introducing the main motif, showcasing the instrument’s vast technical and expressive possibilities. Allegretto con moto: The second movement offers a contrast with a light and graceful melody reminiscent of a minuet. Here, the cello shines with lyrical phrasing and delicate articulation. Allegro non troppo: The final movement returns to the initial energy, combining previous themes and concluding the concerto with a powerful and virtuosic finale.
Saint-Saëns, being an outstanding pianist and organist, often merged classical forms with Romantic expressive elements in his music. In this concerto, he demonstrates his mastery by allowing the cello to shine in both technically challenging passages and deeply emotional melodies.
Since its premiere, the concerto has become one of the most popular and frequently performed works in the cello repertoire, a testament to its unique melodic charm and structural clarity.
The piece was composed in 1872, when Saint-Saëns was 37 years old. It was dedicated to the French cellist Auguste Tolbecque, who also participated in its premiere.
From 1870 to 1871, France was embroiled in war against Prussia, which ended with France’s defeat and the establishment of the Paris Commune. These events left a profound impact on French society and culture, and Saint-Saëns actively engaged in the country's musical life.
In 1871, he, along with other musicians, founded the Société Nationale de Musique (National Society of Music), aimed at promoting and disseminating the works of French composers. This organization became a crucial platform for the development of French music.
At this time, France was experiencing political and social transformations. The establishment of the Third Republic and efforts to restore national identity enhanced the role of arts and culture. Saint-Saëns, a patriot, sought to strengthen French national cultural identity through his music. His First Cello Concerto, with its refined form and emotional depth, reflects the spirit of the era and the aspiration to restore the grandeur of French culture.
At the opening concert of the Liepāja 400th Anniversary International Stars Festival, the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra has invited the brilliant German cellist Daniel Müller-Schott as the evening's special guest.
Renowned worldwide for his expressive interpretations and dazzling technique, Müller-Schott's collaboration with the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of principal conductor Guntis Kuzma, promises a musically splendid experience.
Daniel Müller-Schott is one of the most sought-after cellists in the world and can be heard on all the great international concert stages.
For many years he has been enchanting audiences as an ambassador for classical music in the 21st century and as a bridge builder between music, literature, and the visual arts. Müller-Schott is particularly interested in lecture concerts and performances in unusual places “The New York Times” refers to his “intensive expressiveness” and describes him as a “fearless player with technique to burn”.
Müller-Schott is a guest with internationally renowned orchestras; among others in the United States with the orchestras in New York, Boston, Cleveland, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Los Angeles; in Europe, among others, with the Berlin Philharmonic, the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, the Bavarian State Orchestra, the Munich Philharmonic, the radio orchestras of Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Leipzig, Hamburg, Copenhagen, Prague and Paris, the Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich and Zurich Chamber Orchestra, the Oslo Philharmonic, the London Symphony and Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra and the Spanish National Orchestra, as well as in Australia with the Sydney and Melbourne Symphony Orchestras, in Asia with Tokyo's NHK Symphony Orchestra, Taiwan's National Symphony Orchestra, Singapore Symphony and Seoul Philharmonic Orchestras.
The cellist works with outstanding conductors such as Marc Albrecht, Karina Canellakis, Thomas Dausgaard, Christoph Eschenbach, Iván Fischer, Alan Gilbert, Manfred Honeck, Neeme Järvi, Fabio Luisi, Cristian Măcelaru, Susanna Mälkki, Jun Märkl, Juanjo Mena, Andris Nelsons, Gianandrea Noseda, Andrés Orozco-Estrada, Kirill Petrenko, Vasily Petrenko, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Dalia Stasevska, Krzysztof Urbański, Jaap van Zweden and Simone Young. He has worked for many years with Yakov Kreizberg, Kurt Masur, Lorin Maazel and Sir André Previn.
With great passion, Müller-Schott not only performs the great cello concertos from the Baroque to the modern era. The discovery of unknown works, the expansion of the cello repertoire, for example through his own arrangements, and collaboration with the composers of our time, also have a firm place in his concerts. George Alexander Albrecht, Sir André Previn and Peter Ruzicka have dedicated cello concertos to him.
Müller-Schott's artistic credo is to create a higher intensity of perception between music, visual arts and literature. He gives introductions to the background of the music and the composers and has written many of his CD booklet texts. At his festival in Vevey, he initiated a Bach project with dance to visually translate the music. The cellist has developed a great affinity for the visual arts, especially for French painting of the 19th century.
Müller-Schott has been involved in the "Rhapsody in School" project for many years and regularly gives master classes worldwide.
In a career spanning over twenty-five years, Müller-Schott has produced an impressive discography that has been honoured with numerous international awards, including the Diapason d'Or, Gramophone Editor's Choice, Strad Selection, BBC Music Magazine's "CD of the month" and the International Classical Music Award (ICMA). His recordings include works by Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Mozart, Haydn, Schumann, Grieg, Mendelssohn, Prokofiev, Schubert, Khachaturian, Shostakovich, Strauss, Tchaikovsky, Elgar, Walton, Britten, Dvořák, Lalo, Honegger and Saint-Saëns.
Müller-Schott studied under Walter Nothas, Heinrich Schiff and Steven Isserlis. He was supported personally by Anne-Sophie Mutter and received, among other things, the Aida Stucki Prize as well as a year of private tuition under Mstislaw Rostropovich. At the age of fifteen, Daniel Müller-Schott won the first prize at the International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians in 1992 in Moscow.
Daniel Müller-Schott plays the “Ex Shapiro” Matteo Goffriller cello, made in Venice in 1727.
On January 17, the "Valdis Vikmanis Latvian Young Performers Competition 2025" concluded at the Melngailis Concert Hall of the Liepāja Music, Art, and Design High School (LMMDV).
Competition Winners:
1st place (€900) – Teisija Terēze Puncule (saxophone), a student of Jāzeps Mediņš Riga 1st Music School.
Teacher: Artis Sīmanis | Accompanist: Jekaterina Sarvi
2nd place (€700) – Rūta Zaure (piano), a student of MIKC NMV Emīls Dārziņš Music School.
Teacher & Accompanist: Elīna Bērtiņa-Petrauska
3rd place (€500) – Sofija Vasecka (violin), a student of MIKC NMV Emīls Dārziņš Music School.
Teacher: Nelli Sarkisjana | Accompanist: Lili Sarkisjana
The Special Cash Prize (€1000) from the Liepāja Concert Hall 'Lielais Dzintars' Development Association was awarded by architect Gundars Vīksna to the best LMMDV contestant – Paula Marta Jonuša (saxophone).
Teacher: Kristaps Vanags | Accompanist: Normunds Kalniņš
Competition Jury:
Guntis Kuzma – Clarinetist, Chief Conductor & Artistic Director of the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra
Rihards Zaļupe – Percussionist
Andrejs Osokins – Pianist
Ēriks Kiršfelds – Cellist
"The youthful passion, excitement, and outstanding professionalism were evident in every contestant. These qualities, along with the magic of the stage, made their performances captivating. The Liepāja Symphony Orchestra is proud to witness the birth of new shining stars who will enrich our festival with unforgettable performances," commented Guntis Kuzma.
Now in its fifth edition, the competition is organized by the Liepāja Music, Art, and Design High School in collaboration with the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra and the "Kurzeme Creative Industries Development Center" Association.
The event is supported by the State Cultural Capital Foundation and the Liepāja Cultural Department. Its goal is to promote the professional growth of students and teachers from Latvian music schools and high schools, enhance the prestige of cultural education, increase competitiveness, and raise artistic standards.
The Festival is supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia, the State Culture Capital Foundation, the 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.
