Liepāja Symphony Orchestra & Guntis Kuzma - Juris Karlsons: Dances of Life and Death (2023)

This album features world premiere studio recordings of symphonic works by a prominent Latvian composer Juris Karlsons (1948).

The varied pieces on this album share a common characteristic: they are linked with the stage, with theatre, and therefore with another kind of art, namely, narrative art. All of the works are rooted in literary compositions as their original message, as their impulse.

Juris Karlsons is now among the older generation in Latvian music. He has been active in a wide range of roles as a musician and cultural figure, but above all as a composer in a variety of musical genres. He has also been a pedagogue, served as rector of the Jazeps Vitols Latvian Academy of Music (1990-2007), and earned a Doctor honoris causa degree. The dynamic, diverse and prolific Karlsons has been a prominent public figure in music (consulting, serving on juries, commissions and councils) and was the chairman of the Latvian Composers' Union from 1989 to 1993. He is a recipient of the Order of the Three Stars, 3rd Class.

The Liepaja Symphony Orchestra has been sharing the love of music with listeners in Latvia and beyond for more than 140 years. The orchestra's mission is to create a meaningful bond between music and people, making music accessible and enjoyable, and to celebrate our rich cultural heritage through beautiful music at every concert.

In 2010, the orchestra acquired the status of a national orchestra, thus becoming a significant ambassador of Latvian culture throughout the world, delighting the audience both with classical music masterpieces at concerts and placing special emphasis on Latvian composers and promoting their works - the orchestra participates in premieres and commissions a significant amount of new works.

Tracklist:
01. Karlsons: El Cid. Dzīves un nāves dejas / El Cid: Dances of Life and Death
02. Karlsons: Suite from the ballet Antonija #Silmači: I. Antonija
03. Karlsons: Suite from the ballet Antonija #Silmači: II. Skroderi nāk / The tailors arrive
04. Karlsons: Suite from the ballet Antonija #Silmači: III. Zāra
05. Karlsons: Suite from the ballet Antonija #Silmači: IV. Pindacīša un Ābrams / Pindacīša and Ābrams
06. Karlsons: Suite from the ballet Antonija #Silmači: V. Aleksis un Elīna / Aleksis and Elīna
07. Karlsons: Suite from the ballet Antonija #Silmači: VI. Bites / Bees
08. Karlsons: Suite from the ballet Antonija #Silmači: VII. Rūda un Kārlēna duets / The duet of Rūdis and Kārlēns
09. Karlsons: Suite from the ballet Antonija #Silmači: VIII Antonija un Aleksis / Antonija and Aleksis
10. Karlsons: Suite from the ballet Antonija #Silmači: IX. Fināls / Finale
11. Karlsons: Jāzepa vīzijas / Joseph’s Visions


Thanks to the Original customer!