The concert programme St. Petersburg in Winter... will include chamber music by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov and Georgy Sviridov.

Pyotr Tchaikovsky (1840 – 1893) is the most famous Russian composer, whose soulful music has enhanced countless concert programmes all around the world. He is an excellent melody writer whose talents best reveal themselves in his vocal pieces. His songs with poetry by Aleksej Apukhtin, Aleksey K. Tolstoy, and Afanasy Fet will be included in this concert.

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1844 – 1908) wrote the piece Piano Quintet in B-Flat Major for a chamber ensemble competition in 1976. The first part of the composition is written in Beethoven’s classic style – it is active, energetic and brisk. The second part is more like a lyrical, mild and melancholy respite, whereas the third part consists of lively, cheerful melodies.

Composer Georgy Sviridov (1915 – 1998) has said that “the most important thing is not necessarily to progress and develop a certain style, but rather to take the opportunity to express ones soul”. This assertion is reflected in his vocal compositions, including the long poem Petersburg. Sviridov worked on the piece for 20 years, adorning Alexander Blok’s poetry with music, and it speaks of tragic events in Russia, St. Petersburg, and the fate of mankind.

Concert participants: Rihards Millers (baritone), Herta Hansen (piano), Ligita Spūle (flute), Guntis Kuzma (clarinet), Normunds Zvejnieks (bassoon) and Ilmārs Bērziņš (French horn).