Featuring:
Roland Pöntinen (piano)
Liepāja Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Christian Lindberg
Programme:
Christian Lindberg (1958) "Tarantula"
Robert Schumann (1810–1856) Piano Concerto
Christian Lindberg | Concerto for trombone and orchestra "El poder de la vida" (premiere)
Carl Nielsen (1865–1931) Symphony No. 5
The closing concert of the Liepāja International Star Festival promises to be a spectacular and emotionally charged finale, featuring the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra alongside two of Northern Europe’s brightest musical stars — conductor Christian Lindberg and pianist Roland Pöntinen.
This concert marks the culmination of the festival, which year after year has become a highlight of Latvia’s cultural life — known for its thoughtfully curated programs, brilliant guest artists, and unforgettable atmosphere.
Robert Schumann’s Piano Concerto is a gem of the Romantic era — filled with lyrical themes, dramatic climaxes, and a refined dialogue between soloist and orchestra. Unlike many 19th-century concertos, Schumann avoids soloist dominance, instead crafting an organic partnership where piano and orchestra are equal voices.
The first movement blends passion and lyricism, unfolding like an emotional narrative. The second is brief yet exquisitely delicate — a quiet conversation between hearts. The finale brings vitality and joy, with dance-like motifs and a triumphant close.
This concerto is also a testament to love — dedicated to Schumann’s wife, the renowned pianist Clara Schumann, who was also its first performer. Their deep musical understanding and emotional closeness resonate in every bar of the work.
Swedish pianist Roland Pöntinen is known for his distinctive individuality and creative vision. His interpretations combine intellectual precision with spontaneous imagination. His playing balances structural clarity with expressive freedom — sometimes even theatrical — allowing each opus to reveal its own dramatic narrative. In his hands, Schumann’s fragility and passion gain new intensity.
The second half of the concert features Carl Nielsen’s Symphony No. 5, a powerful and dramatic work by the Danish composer. The symphony surprises with its architectural structure and musical tension — a struggle between chaos and order, where the orchestra becomes a storyteller guiding the listener through inner turmoil and revelation.
At the helm of the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra will be Christian Lindberg, a conductor well known to the Liepāja audience. In his previous appearances, he left a lasting impression with his passion and ability to unlock the orchestra’s full potential.
This encounter will be special because Lindberg will present the audience with two of his own original works — the symphonic piece “Tarantula” and the trombone concerto “El poder de la vida” (“The Power of Life”), which will receive its world premiere.
As a composer, Lindberg has received commissions from orchestras such as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, with many of the world’s leading orchestras — including the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, and others — have premiered his works.
This will be a unique opportunity for listeners to experience Lindberg’s creative power and witness a vibrant event in contemporary symphonic music at the festival’s climax.
The Concert is supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia, State Culture Capital Foundation and the Liepāja City.
INFORMATION FOR OUR VISITORS:
Discounts:
Students, disabled persons, pensioners – 3 euros
Pupils - 50%
Family 3+ card holders - 30%
For a companion of a person with a disability of group I or II - 50%
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.
