23 May – young composers join the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra in the concert “Future”

When young composers meet the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, the future is born – at the concert “Future” on 23 May, new works by students of the Jazeps Vitols Latvian Academy of Music’s (JVLMA) Composition Department will be performed, alongside outstanding composer Romualds Kalsons’ Concerto for Cello and Orchestra.

The concert “Future” marks the beginning of a new and highly valuable collaboration – responding to an initiative from the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra’s (LNSO) management, over the next few years a concert will take place each spring in which the LNSO will give the world premiere of new symphonic works by 4-5 students from the JVLMA Composition Department, and, on the recommendation of the department’s faculty, will also include previously performed music in the programme. At the first concert in this collaboration, taking place on 23 May at 18:00 in JVLMA’s Great Hall, we will experience the world premieres of new works by students Diana Gritane, Marina Anna Timofejeva, Renars Velicko, Andris Sejans and Ansels Kaugers, as well as a performance of the Concerto for Cello and Orchestra by outstanding composer, JVLMA professor and long-time head of the Composition Department, and Great Music Award laureate, Romualds Kalsons. In the soloist’s role will be cellist and JVLMA String Instruments Department lecturer Guna Sne, with Janis Stafeckis on the podium.

Romualds Kalsons’ body of work, with its high-quality academic music, and his pedagogical contribution to training future composers, have left an indelible mark on Latvian culture and on professional music both in Latvia and around the world. Including the Cello Concerto in the programme is a tribute and a remembrance of the Master’s lifelong contribution. “The knowledge that the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Janis Stafeckis, will perform at the 23 May concert in JVLMA’s Great Hall, and that this professional collaboration will be realised with JVLMA soloist and faculty member Guna Sne performing the music of JVLMA’s great master Kalsons, alongside an equally high-quality interpretation of the first symphonic works by senior students of JVLMA’s Composition Department, should be seen as a unique and highly significant opportunity for fostering JVLMA’s future excellence,” emphasises composer Eriks Esenvalds, head of JVLMA’s Composition Department.

Romualds Kalsons’ Cello Concerto received its world premiere in 1970 at the Great Guild, performed by the LNSO and JVLMA professor Eleonora Testelece, with Kalsons himself on the podium. The cello part is quite demanding, requiring a high level of technique and virtuosity, and calling for – even challenging – individuality of artistic expression.

Tickets for the concert are available only in advance sale online. Ticket price – EUR 10; students and pensioners – EUR 7; free admission for children and pupils.

Programme: Renars Velicko “Kaupo” (world premiere); Diana Gritane “Visions of Reflection” (world premiere); Andris Sejans “Recap” (world premiere); Marina Anna Timofejeva “Time and Breath” (world premiere); Ansels Kaugers “Fall” (world premiere); Romualds Kalsons, Concerto for Cello and Orchestra.