The music of Pēteris Vasks, one of the internationally best-known Latvian composers, raises global questions about life and death, hatred and forgiveness, harmony and chaos. “Music can alleviate suffering and soothe grief”. The composer combines different compositional techniques of the 20th century, mostly focusing on the musical expression of the harmonious structure of the world and the renewal of classical music.

Concerto for viola and string orchestra, composed in 2006 and dedicated to the Ukrainian violist Maxim Rysanov, is saturated with depth and expression associated with Vasks’ voice. “This profound work is filled with the composer’s ideas and thoughts about the world and the human being in it. At the same time, it contains light moments, even dances, and incredible virtuosity for the viola,” said Rysanov. The four-movement score is based on archaic elements of Latvian folklore and the complex contemporary music language. This disturbing, but at the same time noble work of beauty, features Kristina Anusevičiūtė, violist and member of the Vilnius String Quartet, a recipient of the Ministry of Culture’s Young Musician Prize for 2023, in tandem with the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Benjamin Haemhouts.