Pablo FERRÁNDEZ, cello /Spain/

Vineta SAREIKA, violin

Daumants LIEPIŅŠ, piano

Jolanta STRIKAITE- LAPIŅA, soprano

Ieva PARŠA, mezzo soprano

Rihards MAČANOVSKIS, baritone

Patriks Kārlis STEPE

Maija Beatrise PUNKA

KAMĒR… Choir

Liepāja Symphony Orchestra

Conductor Tadeusz WOJCIECHOWSKI /Poland/

Programme:

Antonín Dvorák, Concerto for Cello and Orchestra in B minor, Op. 104

Ludwig van Beethoven, Egmont Overture

Pēteris Vasks, Lonely Angel, Meditation For Violin & String Orchestra

Ludwig van Beethoven, Fantasia for piano, choir and orchestra

The programme of the 10th Anniversary concert of Cēsis Concert Hall reflects two of its central pillars and most recognisable hallmarks: the sound of the cello and the music of the Latvian composer Pēteris Vasks, coming to conclusion with a masterpiece by Ludwig van Beethoven, a musical fantasy that will showcase the acoustic magnificence of the concert hall to its fullest.

The first part of the programme is dedicated to the 10th Anniversary of the international Cello Cēsis festival held annually by the concert hall: we will listen to the Czech Romantic Antonín Dvořák’s Cello Concerto in B minor with its various vivid musical depictions and rich instrumentation. The cello concerto will be performed by the Spanish cellist Pablo Ferrández, winner of the XV International Tchaikovsky Competition, SONY Classical exclusive artist praised as the ‘new cello genius’ (Le Figaro). Ferrández, a charismatic performer, ‘has the lot: technique, mettle, spirit, authority as a soloist, expressivity and charm’ (El País). We are happy to introduce the Latvian concertgoers to this world-renowned cello player!

Today, over a hundred years since its creation, the status of Dvořák’s concerto for cello and orchestra as an unparallelled masterpiece remains undiminished. It has always been one of the most exciting challenges for cello players, conductors and symphony orchestras alike – a wonderful source of musical enjoyment for the listeners.

The second part of the programme includes a symbolic dedication to the other emblematic feature of Cēsis Concert Hall, the annual April of Pēteris Vasks’ Music Festival and its close collaboration with the globally most performed Latvian composer Pēteris Vasks, a dear friend of the concert hall. On the night of the anniversary, we will listen to the ‘Lonely Angel’ violin concerto interpreted by the prominent Latvian violinist, the first female concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic Vineta Sareika and Liepāja Symphony Orchestra under the baton of the Polish Maestro Tadeusz Wojciechowski.

Last but not least, the 10th Anniversary concert will culminate with Fantasy for Chorus, piano and orchestra by the musical great Ludwig van Beethoven as a reiteration of the values that have served as a guiding light for Cēsis Concert Hall throughout the ten years of its existence: high professionality and servitude to Music and its Muses.

The Choral Fantasy will be performed by one of the most recognised Latvian pianists of the younger generation Daumants Liepiņš, the Kamēr… Choir, soloists - Jolanta Strikaite-Lapiņa, Ieva Parša, Rihards Mačinovskis, Patriks Kārlis Stepe, Maija Beatrise Punka, and Liepāja Symphony Orchestra under Tadeusz Wojciechowski.