.png)
On 28 September at 6 PM the Rundāle Palace, the majestic summer residence of the Dukes of Kurzeme, will once again come alive to the sounds of music – the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra under the direction of the conductor Guntis Kuzma will make a comeback to the White Hall of the Palace with the orchestra brass and percussion ensemble. The concert programme features new works by Vilnis Šmīdbergs and Rihards Dubra, and also the “Liturgical Fanfares” by Henri Tomasi.
Vilnis Šmīdberg's new work “Towards the Light” premiered at the “Rimbenieks” Festival. The composer himself is reluctant to talk about his new work, however, the fact that the musical reference to the Russian national anthem is winded into the first part called “In the Dark”, which is full of emotional tension, tells a lot. The second and third parts of the piece, on the other hand, are named “Hope” and “Towards the Light”.
The list of works written by Vilnis Šmīdbergs, the founder of Latvian rock music, the founder of the art rock band “Katedrāle” and the creator of the key lineup of the band “Sīpoli”, is extensive, and this year the composer, whose 80th anniversary is also being celebrated, has received the prestigious Grand Music Award “For Lifetime Contribution”.
In the spirit of the composer Rihards Dubra's 60th anniversary, continuing the concert with newly created works by Latvian composers, the composition “Magnolia” will offer a completely different musical journey, where inspiration is drawn from the beauty of nature and peaceful silence.
The opus for solo vibraphone “Magnolia” was written by special request of Marta Kauliņa-Pelnēna, percussionist of the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra. This new work was also performed for the first time to the audience of the “Rimbenieks” Festival. When writing music, Rihards Dubra was inspired by a blooming magnolia in his own yard. As he says himself: “What is happening there is only a matter of one’s imagination”.
The concert will also be enriched by the sacred work “Liturgical Fanfares” written by one of the most notable composers of the 20th century – Henri Tomasi. In his work Tomasi has combined academic music with deeply personal experience, and the story woven into it resonates with the reflections triggered by the composition by Vilnis Šmīdbergs featured in the concert programme. The work “Liturgical Fanfares” reflects composer's passion for sacred music and will offer the audience a musical accompaniment on a journey to inner spiritual revelations.
The majestic and solemn “Liturgical Fanfares” also emphasize the power and uplifting sound of brass instruments. This work was first performed back in 1947 and has since become one of the main cornerstones of the brass music repertoire.
Tickets for the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra concerts can be purchased at “Biļešu paradīze” ticket offices.
Since 2014, the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra has been almost the resident orchestra of Rundāle Palace. This year, in August, the director of the orchestra Uldis Lipskis, and the director of the Rundāle Palace Museum, Laura Lūse, have solemnly signed an agreement for the next 10 years of cooperation. The purpose of this agreement is to continue and develop the historical tradition of regular concert life in the Rundāle Palace and to strengthen the historical cultural ties between Rundāle and Liepāja, and to ensure that high-quality symphonic music concerts are held in this architectural gem.
The concerts are supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia, the Zemgale Planning Region.
