Inspired by Schubert | Summer Night Chamber Music

The musical architecture of the concluding programme of the cycle Summer Night Chamber Music is carried by two colossi – Austrian lyricist Franz Schubert and his modern-day German colleague Jörg Widmann. Where Schubert's music takes the tone of the dusky boundary between joy and sadness, Widmann's works virtually pull the listener in and strike a profoundly emotional chord. This is also demonstrated by the current programme, placing side by side Schubert's monumental Octet, which was composed two centuries ago, with Widmann's two decades old opus for an identical set of instruments. If Schubert's piece suggests echoes from the cheerful chatter of Viennese cafés, a passionate hunt amid idyllic nature or the even earlier Singspiele and the pearl of vocal music that is Der Wanderer, Widmann's Octet is a tribute to the great romantic, imbued with respectful admiration and melancholy, reflecting in particular on the unsurpassed melodic talent of the outstanding lyricist. Also not to be missed is the opportunity to meet Jörg Widmann in person before the concert. His passion, impressive erudition and charisma will be an opportunity to step into the artist's laboratory of sonic images and ideas.

Programme

Franz Schubert Octet in F major, D 803
Jörg Widmann Octet

Performed by Magdalēna Geka (violin), Antti Kortelainen (violin), Ineta Abakuka (viola), Madara Norbūte (cello), Jānis Stafeckis (contrabass), Mārtiņš Circenis (clarinet), Jānis Semjonovs (bassoon), Artūrs Šults (French horn)