The composition by the Austrian author is a great representation of its zeitgeist, filled with contrast and aching beauty, passion and drama, touching upon Death’s indecent flirtation with a maiden full of joie de vivre. 20th-century American avant-garde artist Crumb has referenced this masterpiece in his Vietnam-war-inspired opus.

In an attempt to capture senseless destruction and desire for justice and peace, the composer asked the musicians not only to play their string instruments, but also to sing and use glasses and percussions. ‘From the harmonic ideals of Schubert’s era, the listener will descend into the world of fallen angels, numerology, and a Babel of linguistic chaos. It will be a surreal adventure rooted in the reality of our age,’ say the artists of Sinfonietta Rīga, whose impressive performance will be accompanied by an ever-exciting narration by Orests Silabriedis.

Each composition will be mirrored in modern times through contemporary poetry by Jana Egle, created especially for this program. The writer and poet is the author of beloved collections of stories: Gaismā (2016), Svešie jeb miļeņkij ti moi (2018), and Dzimšanas diena (2020), as well as poetry compilations Dzirdēt noklusēto (2002) and Ledus debesis (2023). She is a recipient of the Liepāja Culture Award and Egons Līvs’ memorial award Krasta Ļaudis and was recognized as the author of the best work of prose at the 2017 Latvian Literature Awards.

Program: Franz Schubert, George Crumb, poetry by Jana Egle

Artists:

Sinfonietta Rīga string quartet

Agnese Kanniņa, violin

Kristiāna Krūskopa, violin

Artūrs Gailis, alto

Kārlis Klotiņš, cello

Normunds Šnē, electronics

Orests Silabriedis, storyteller

Poet Jana Egle

Other events of the autumn 2024 season of the "Personally" concert series:

• 27.10. | SUNDAY | 3 PM JUUK. FOLK ROCK AND ARMENIAN BALLADS 

• 24.11. | SUNDAY | 3 PM JĀNIS ŠIPKĒVICS AND REINIS ZARIŅŠ. WHITE CHORDS

• 08.12. | SUNDAY | 3 PM MENDELSSOHN AND RAVEL. THE ELEGANCE OF CHAMBER MUSIC