Liepāja Concert Hall Great Amber and The Andrejs Žagars Cultural Development Foundation on May 26, 2027 will present the legendary Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra and its artistic director, the world-famous and beloved Maestro Andris Nelsons live in concert – featured in the “Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027” programme.
The magnitude of Nelson’s talent, his vast skillset, ability to ignite musicians and make every concert unforgettable is one-of-a-kind. In 2027, the world will honour the 200th anniversary of Ludwig van Beethoven’s passing. Such a tradition of commemorating geniuses is still quite foreign in Latvia, however, as we keep further integrating into the global art arena, it will be an honour to host, for the second time in Liepāja, one of Europe’s best symphonic collectives – the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, which is the world’s oldest civic symphony orchestra (est. 1743).
“It will soon be eight years since the autumn of 2018, when the world-renowned Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra last visited Latvia – Rīga and Liepāja. Back then, too, this wonderful ensemble was brought to Latvia by its leader, the outstanding Maestro Andris Nelsons. The orchestra was hosted by the Andrejs Žagars Cultural Development Foundation under Andrejs’s own leadership; today, we continue on the path he started, giving audiences the opportunity to discover and enjoy the performances of world-class artists. The music-making of this orchestra under the baton of Andris Nelsons is admired everywhere, so let us welcome the artists with joy and love,” says Arturs Maskats, board member of the Andrejs Žagars Cultural Development Foundation.
Two completely different Ludwig van Beethoven’s symphonies are included in the programme: Sixth and Seventh. The Sixth is known as the “Pastoral” one, it is like an animation which allows us to put ourselves in the composer’s shoes as he takes his beloved walks in the fields and forests on the outskirts of the city, notes the song of a bird, gazes at the farmers’s celebrations, deeply inhales the ecstasy of thunder and enjoys the bloom of nature by the element. The Seventh symphony is one of Beethoven’s greatest masterpieces, fascinating with the beautiful, fatal variations in the second part and the celebration of uncontrollable glee in the conclusion.
“I deeply appreciate the motto chosen by the citizens of Leipzig for the environment of this venerable orchestra, which is inscribed in large letters above the organ of the modern concert hall: ‘Res severa verum gaudium.’ It is a slightly inaccurate but essentially correct sentence from Seneca’s letters, meaning ‘True joy is a serious matter,’” notes Orests Silabriedis, Artistic Director of the Liepāja Concert Hall Great Amber,” in his praise of the concert program. “In Beethoven’s Sixth Symphony, we joyfully watch the cinema of nature, while the Seventh is a pairing of the deepest drama and the highest bliss –it is life itself. We eagerly await the magnificent Leipzig orchestra and the outstanding Maestro in our amber hall!”
The orchestra has inherited global acclaim with its unique, warm and tender “Leipzig sound”, as well as its role in history – debuting masterpieces by 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 operation.
Here, Nelson’s signature emotional, flowing energy merges with the orchestra’s stable, centuries-old traditions. Together they have taken the world’s largest stages, gone on outstanding international tours and published critically acclaimed recordings that have become the gold standard. The monumental Bruckner and Strauss cycles, produced in collaboration with the Deutsche Grammophon label, are especially remarkable: the former was honoured with the prestigious Opus Klassik Award, while the latter was hailed as the year’s most innovative and ambitious symphonic project. Collaboration with the orchestra is so successful that it has already been extended till 2032.
Starting June 11 at 12:00 PM, tickets will be available for purchase at all “Biļešu Paradīze” box offices across Latvia, online at www.bilesuparadize.lv, and at the concert hall’s information center.
The concert is organized by SIA “Lielais Dzintars” and The Andrejs Žagars Cultural Development Foundation as part of the “Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027” project programme. Financed by Liepāja State City, South Kurzeme and Kuldīga municipalities, the Ministry of Culture and the State Culture Capital Foundation. The “Liepāja 2027” programme is supported by the leading partner in environmental education and sustainability AS “CleanR Grupa”, the leading partner in air traffic and international communications AS “Air Baltic Corporation”, partner in legal matters SIA “Sorainen ZAB”, partner in land traffic SIA “Lux Express Latvia”, partner in maritime traffic and international communications SIA “Stena Line”. Media partners – VSIA “Latvijas Sabiedriskais medijs”, SIA “TVNET GRUPA”, AS “KURZEMES RADIO”.
Anita Lazdeniece-Grīnberga
LTD “Lielais Dzintars”
Head of Marketing and Public Relations Department
TPhone: +371 29 817 736
Email: anita.lazdeniece@lielaisdzintars.lv
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