Eiropas Ziemassvētki. Sinfonietta Rīga. Bēthovena Svinīgā mesa

Participants:
Yena Choi, soprano
Helen Lepalaan, mezzo-soprano
Lothar Odinius, tenor
Lisandro Abadie, bass-baritone
Sinfonietta Rīga
State Academic Choir “Latvia”
conductor Tõnu Kaljuste
 
Programme:
Ludwig van Beethoven “Missa Solemnis” in D major, Op. 123

In the introduction of the score of Missa Solemnis Ludwig van Beethoven wrote: “From the heart, may it go to the heart.“ The composer's directions provide the key to the inconceivable, awe-inspiring dimension of the depth that emanates from the bars of the mighty opus. Those who say that the mass does not fall into any categories are absolutely right. Like the vigorous spring floods, it emerges from the clearly defined shorelines of the liturgy and washes away both the thoughts and the words which usually come to mind when discussing music.

With the Solemn Mass Beethoven not only got closer to the great masters of the Baroque and Renaissance, but also managed to rise even higher - above the Johann Sebastian Bach’s polyphony and over the atmospheric music of Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina. All the threads of the Missa Solemnis will be woven together by the experienced master of the large-scale form, the outstanding Estonian maestro Tenu Kaljuste, commemorating the 250th anniversary of Ludwig van Beethoven, the course of which was significantly altered by the year of pandemic. To help to implement his grand idea the maestro has invited outstanding allies – Chamber Orchestra Sinfonietta Rīga, an experienced ensemble of soloists and the State Academic Choir “Latvija” – a true dream ensemble for interpreting the large-scale music of Beethoven.

Photo: ©Kaupo Kikkas