Featuring:
Krzysztof MICHALSKI (cello)
Liepāja Symphony Orchestra
Conductor Modestas BARKAUSKAS
Programme:
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Symphony No. 40
Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Concerto No 2 for Cello and Orchestra
Luigi BOCCHERINI (1743-1805) Symphony in G major
Johann STAMITZ (1717-1757) Symphony in E flat major, op. 11, no. 3
The Liepāja Symphony Orchestra has been regularly performing at Rundāle Palace for more than ten years now, creating a unique musical experience for music lovers in this precious gem of Baroque architecture. The majestic interior of the palace and the acoustics of the White Hall create a special atmosphere allowing the audience to enjoy the beauty of classical music to the fullest.
In 2025, the concert series Sounds of Liepāja at Rundāle Palace will feature four events, and the first one will delight the audience with masterpieces by the Viennese classics Joseph Haydn and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
The outstanding Lithuanian conductor Modestas Barkauskas will lead the Orchestra through two brilliant works of the classical era: Joseph Haydn's Concerto No 2 for Cello and Orchestra and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Symphony No. 40.
The concert programme will be complemented by Luigi Boccherini's Symphony in G major and Johann Stamitz's Symphony No 6.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Symphony No. 40 is one of the most recognizable and beloved classical music pieces of all time. This symphony, composed in 1788, is the quintessence of Mozart's genius – it combines deep emotionality, drama and incredible melodic beauty. Its volatile and passionate melodies have captivated listeners for more than two centuries, revealing the composer's inner world and his range of emotions.
Symphony No. 40 is one of the few Mozart’s pieces in a minor key, which gives it a special touch of drama and tragedy. At the same time, the symphony also contains bright and hopeful melodies, creating a contrasting interplay of emotions. This diversity and emotional depth makes Mozart’s Symphony No. 40 one of the pinnacles of classical music.
Joseph Haydn’s elegant and lively Concerto No 2 for Cello and Orchestra, written around 1783, is one of the first cello concertos to gain wide recognition and inspire composers of future generations. This concerto, which radiates melodic richness and technical brilliance, has become one of the most popular cello concertos in the classical music repertoire.
The piece stands out for its optimistic and joyful mood, characteristic of the composer's creative work. It combines elegant melodies, virtuoso solo fragments and the splendor of the orchestra, creating a harmonious and exciting musical experience. In this concert the cello plays the role of not only a soloist, but also a storyteller, revealing a wide range of emotions – from lyrical tenderness to energetic zest of life.
Joseph Haydn was a popular composer at European courts, and his music was often heard in splendid palaces like the Rundāle Palace.
The melodic richness and technical brilliance of the cello concerto will be revealed in this concert by the young and promising Polish cellist Krzysztof Michalski in collaboration with the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra conducted by Modestas Barkauskas.
Over the past 3 years, Krzysztof Michalski has won several international competitions, such as the Johansen International Competition in the USA, the Zoltán Kodály Competition in Hungary, the David Geringas Competition in Lithuania and the Brussels Cello Competition in Belgium.
As a soloist, he has performed with symphony and chamber orchestras in Poland, Germany, Hungary, Belgium, Lithuania and Colombia.
The concert programme also features works by Luigi Boccherini and Johannes Stamitz, highlighting the broader landscape of classical music and its development. Boccherini, an Italian composer and cellist, was one of the most prominent representatives of the classicist era, whose symphonies and chamber music are distinguished by special elegance and melodic sophistication. Meanwhile, Johannes Stamitz, a composer of Czech origin, is considered one of the founders of the “Mannheim School” emphasizing the transition from Baroque to Classicism, significantly influencing the further development of Classicism with his dynamic and dramatic musical language.
The Concert is supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia and Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Riga.
INFORMATION FOR OUR VISITORS:
The seats in the White Hall of Rundāle Palace are not numbered.
Discounts:
Pupils, students, disabled persons, pensioners – 5 euros
Family 3+ card holders – 5 euros
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.
