In 2027, the world will honour the 200th anniversary of Ludwig van Beethoven’s passing. Such a tradition of commemorating geniuses is still quite foreign in Latvia, however, as we keep further integrating into the global art arena, it will be an honour to host, for the second time in Liepāja, one of Europe’s best symphonic collectives – the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, which is the world’s oldest civic symphony orchestra (est. 1743).

The orchestra has inherited global acclaim with its unique, warm and tender “Leipzig sound”, as well as its role in history – debuting masterpieces by Beethoven, Mendelssohn and Brahms. Since 2018, Andris Nelsons has been the orchestra’s artistic director and chief conductor, marking a new era in the orchestra’s operation.

Here, Nelson’s signature emotional, flowing energy merges with the orchestra’s stable, centuries-old traditions. Together they have taken the world’s largest stages, gone on outstanding international tours and published critically acclaimed recordings that have become the gold standard. The monumental Bruckner and Strauss cycles, produced in collaboration with the Deutsche Grammophon label, are especially remarkable: the former was honoured with the prestigious Opus Klassik Award, while the latter was hailed as the year’s most innovative and ambitious symphonic project. Collaboration with the orchestra is so successful that it has already been extended till 2032.

Two completely different Ludwig van Beethoven’s symphonies are included in the programme: Sixth and Seventh. The Sixth is known as the “Pastoral” one, it is like an animation which allows us to put ourselves in the composer’s shoes as he takes his beloved walks in the fields and forests on the outskirts of the city, notes the song of a bird, gazes at the farmers’s celebrations, deeply inhales the ecstasy of thunder and enjoys the bloom of nature by the element. The Seventh symphony is one of Beethoven’s greatest masterpieces, fascinating with the beautiful, fatal variations in the second part and the celebration of uncontrollable glee in the conclusion.

The concert is realised as part of the “Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027” project programme, financed by Liepāja State City, South Kurzeme and Kuldīga municipalities, the Ministry of Culture and the State Culture Capital Foundation. The “Liepāja 2027” programme is supported by the leading partner in environmental education and sustainability AS “CleanR Grupa”, the leading partner in air traffic and international communications AS “Air Baltic Corporation”, partner in legal matters SIA “Sorainen ZAB”, partner in land traffic SIA “Lux Express Latvia”, partner in maritime traffic and international communications SIA “Stena Line”. Media partners – VSIA “Latvijas Sabiedriskais medijs”, SIA “TVNET GRUPA”, AS “KURZEMES RADIO”.

Starring:
Leipzig Gewandhausorchester
Conductor and artistic director Andris NELSONS

In the programme:
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
PART I
Symphony No. 6 “Pastoral” in F Major, Op. 68
PART II
Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92