Bruckner and Karlsons

This programme brings together one of the greatest 19th century symphonics Anton Bruckner and the Latvian master Juris Karlsons. The music of both composers centers around symphonic pieces, but choir works are an equally important part of their musical heritage.

Symphonic thinking and maturity of music are trademark features of the sonic worlds of Bruckner and Karlsons. Their sacred opuses reveal themselves slowly, yet with determined movement towards light and enlightenment. Their choir music shows both composers’ catholic values, ascetic vision, sacred revelations, relationships between the divine and the humanly honest.

The programme will feature Anton Bruckner’s latin motets, which the Latvian Radio Choir and conductor Sigvards Kļava recorded in 2020 under the Ondine recording label. The unique recording that showcases some of Bruckner’s lesser known pieces has already earned international praise by the likes of Gramophone, BBC Music Magazine and others. The choir’s recording was named the Album of the Year by the prominent French music magazine Classica.

Juris Karlsons’s music will be represented by the compositions Gaisma (Light), which is based on Jesus Christ’s words “I am the light of the world”, and Ora pro nobis - an encomium to the Virgin Mary and her boundless grace.

Programme

Antor Bruckner and Juris Karlsons
 

Participants

The Latvian Radio Choir
Conductor Sigvards Kļava