The Belarusian State Philharmonic Society represents the concert of the State Academic Symphony Orchestra of the Republic of Belarus in the frame of Yuri Bashmet International Music Festival.
The concert programme consists of the compositions of the one of the most influential and honour modern European composer Pēteris Vasks (Latvia).
– Credo for symphony orchestra (2010)
– Concerto № 2 for cello and string orchestra (2014)
– Symphony № 2 (1998–1999)
Soloist is the laureate of the International Tchaikovsky Competition (1990), professor of the Department chamber music at the Sibelius Academy, Helsinki (Finland) Marko Ylönen.
Maestro Atvars Lakstigala, guest conductor of the Latvian National Opera Orchestra, two-time winner of the highest State Award of Latvia in the field of classical music, at the conductor’s desk (Latvia).
The special guest of the concert is a composer, Honorary Member of the Latvian Academy of Sciences, Honorary Professor of the J.Vītols Latvian Academy of Music, member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music Pēteris Vasks.
Concerning compositions in the programme Pēteris Vasks wrote:
Credo – “… This composition is like to a hymn dedicated to the almighty power of love. I believe any composition that has come from the depths of heart and soul, can help light up the world. I believe there is a spiritual vertical and I’ll keep heralding it in every composition I’ll ever write”.
The composer considers that the Symphony №2 is one of the most his personal, intimate works: “The opening is triumphant fortissimo sound .We’re all thrown into this tense drama together. But the second idea is a quiet one: an image of eternity, of dream. In music there is still a chance to express an ideal world, to glance at a beauty which is difficult to see in daily life”.
In the final part of the symphony, the composer uses a melody that resembles Latvian folksong: “A sense of light-filled sadness – that’s the best way to put it. I can’t leave my listeners without a breath of hope, a breath of eternity.”
“My Cello Concerto no. 2 – my life around the cello, the cello in my life. All of the things that cello have been trying to tell me over the years. I wrote the concerto for Sol Gabetta (world famous cellist) – there is a great strength in her, and a whole lot of love. She is fragile yet strong – what a remarkable combination!... As with all my works, in this one I’m not a passive observer: I’m present in this life with my temperament, doubts, faith and belief, and most of all – with my love. I’m passionately present in every sound.”
The concert is organized with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Belarus.
