PĒTERIS VASKS

The music of Pēteris Vasks, one of the best-known Latvian composers in the world, raises global questions about life and death, hatred and forgiveness, harmony and chaos. In his works, the composer seeks to convey this philosophical idea: “Music can reduce suffering and soothe grief.” The composer combines different compositional techniques of the 20th century, however he is most concerned with the musical expression of a harmonious world structure and the reinvigoration of classical music. Vasks’ Concerto for violin and string orchestra Distant Light (Tālā gaisma), composed in 1997 at the request of Maestro Gidon Kremer, is saturated with profound depth. According to the composer: “It’s a nostalgia with a touch of tragedy. Childhood memories, but also the glittering stars millions of light years away.” Like many of his works, Distant Light is born of a fragile silence that is gradually replaced by melancholic, dramatic and somewhat chaotic emotion. Later, it calms down and dissolves into silence.