The Liepāja Symphony Orchestra under chief conductor Guntis Kuzma opened its 146th concert season on Saturday, September 19, featuring German cellist Daniel Müller-Schott in Antonín Dvořák’s Cello Concerto, according to orchestra communications manager Iveta Vēvere.
Season Opening Program and World Premiere
The opening night at the “Lielais dzintars” concert hall included the world premiere of Juris Karlson’s symphonic vision for orchestra, “Saules lēktā” (At Sunrise), according to chief conductor Guntis Kuzma. Kuzma noted that Karlson builds on a personal genre of symphonic visions that includes previous works such as “Vakarblāzma,” “Jāzepa vīzijas,” and “Noslēpumainajam dārzam…”. The program also featured Arthur Honegger’s “Liturgical Symphony,” described by Kuzma as a dramatic and existentially charged 20th-century symphonic statement.
Did you know? Latvian Radio 3 broadcast the season-opening concert live, and an archive recording remains accessible online via the station’s broadcasting archives.
Upcoming Autumn Concert Tour Schedule
Following the season launch, the orchestra is embarking on an autumn concert tour across Latvia between September and October, with scheduled stops in Ventspils, Lielvārde, Daugavpils, and Tukums, according to orchestra announcements. On September 25, the tour program travels to Lithuania for the International Mažeiķi Art Festival. Young Latvian violinist Elza Siliņa joins the orchestra as guest soloist for these tour dates.
Martins Brauns Tribute and November Concert Lineup
Concertgoers in Liepāja will gather again on October 10 to celebrate the music of late composer Mārtiņš Brauns, marking what would have been his 75th birthday this autumn with the return of the program “Mārtiņš Brauns. Dziesma par spēli,” as announced by the orchestra. Later in the autumn season, on November 7, the orchestra performs under British maestro Douglas Bostock, joined by internationally recognized Latvian cellist Margarita Balanas for a program of 20th-century British music.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who conducted the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra’s season-opening concert?
Chief conductor Guntis Kuzma led the orchestra for the opening performance on September 19.
Which soloists are performing with the orchestra this season?
German cellist Daniel Müller-Schott performed at the season opening, violinist Elza Siliņa joins the upcoming autumn tour, and cellist Margarita Balanas will perform in November.
Where can I listen to the season-opening concert recording?
Latvian Radio 3 broadcast the event live, and the recorded performance is available in the station’s online audio archive.