Liepaja concert hall “Lielais dzintars” and the Andrej Žagar Cultural Development Fund on May 26, 2027 at At 19.00, the legendary Leipzig “Gewandhaus” orchestra and its artistic director, the world-famous and adored Maestro Andras Nelsons, will offer a concert, which is part of the “Liepäja – European Capital of Culture 2027” program.
The scope of Nelson’s talent, enormous capacity for work, ability to ignite musicians and make every concert unforgettable is unique. In 2027, the world will celebrate 200 years since the death of Ludwig van Beethoven. In Latvia, such a tradition of commemorating the passing of geniuses is still unknown, but as we become more and more integrated into the global art space, it will be an honor to welcome one of Europe’s best symphonic collectives – the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, which is the world’s oldest civil symphonic orchestra (founded in 1743) for the second time in Liepāja, with the Beethoven memorial program.
“Since the autumn of 2018, when the world-famous Leipzig “Gewandhaus” orchestra visited Latvia for the last time – in Riga and Liepāja, eight years will soon have passed. Also then, this wonderful group was brought to Latvia by its leader, the excellent Maestro Andris Nelsons. The orchestra was hosted by Andrej Žagar’s cultural development fund under the leadership of Andrej himself, now we continue the path he started, giving Latvian listeners the opportunity to get to know and enjoy the performances of world-class artists. The music of this orchestra under the leadership of Andras Nelson is admired everywhere, so we welcome the artists with joy and love,” invites Arturs Maskats, member of the board of the Andreja Žagar Cultural Development Foundation.
The concert program includes two completely different symphonies by Ludwig van Beethoven: the Sixth and the Seventh. The sixth is also known as “Pastoral”, it is almost like an animated film, which allows us to put ourselves in the skin of the composer, when he goes on his favorite walks through the suburban fields and forests, writes down a bird’s song, watches the peasants feast, inhales deeply the ecstasy of thunder and enjoys the rebirth of nature after the elements. The Seventh Symphony is one of Beethoven’s greatest masterpieces, where the beautiful, fatal variations of the second movement and the celebration of uncontrollable joy in the finale are particularly fascinating.
“I really like the motto of the environment created by this perennial orchestra chosen by the citizens of Leipzig, which is placed in large letters above the modern concert hall organ: ‘Res severa verum gaudium’. It is a little imprecise, but essentially correct sentence of Seneca’s letter, which means – ‘True joy is one serious thing’,” Orests Silabriedis, artistic director of Liepaja concert hall “Lielais dzintars” evaluates the program. “In Beethoven’s Sixth Symphony, we enjoy watching nature’s cinema, while the Seventh is a marriage of the deepest drama and the highest happiness, it is life itself. We look forward to the great Leipzig Orchestra and the great Maestro in our amber house!”
The Leipzig “Gewandhaus” orchestra has gained world fame for its unique, warm and early “Leipzig sound”, as well as for its historic role in premiering the masterpieces of Beethoven, Mendelssohn and Brahms. Since 2018, Andris Nelsons has been the orchestra’s artistic director and chief conductor, marking a new era in the orchestra’s activities.
Here Nelson’s characteristic emotional, flowing energy and the stable, centuries-old traditions of the orchestra come together. Together, they conquered the world’s biggest stages, embarking on ambitious international tours and releasing critically acclaimed, benchmark records. The monumental cycles of Bruckner and Strauss in cooperation with the publishing house “Deutsche Grammophon” are especially noteworthy, the first of which was awarded the prestigious “Opus Klassik” award and the second recognized as the most innovative and ambitious symphonic project of the year. Cooperation with the orchestra is so successful that it has been extended until 2032.
