The central message of Zigmars Liepiņš’ Mesa’ is: grant us peace. It was composed in the spring of 2020, when many of us were living in profound uncertainty, confusion and even fear of death. Who could have foreseen that, in same the year as ‘Mesa’ was premiered, Russia would invade Ukraine and the world would become so impossibly entangled? Here, we encounter a traditional Mass, presented unconventionally – in Latvian.

The origins of ‘Mesa’ lie in the composer’s and his wife’s desire to affirm their union in church – it emerged from conversations with a priest, born from an inability to compose anything small, but rather a need for something grand to come into being.

This utterly beautiful composition will be performed under the direction of the well-known and audience-beloved conductor Jānis Liepiņš by the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra and the State Academic Choir Latvija, joined by the male vocal ensemble Auxilium.

The crystal-clear message of ‘Mesa’ will be conveyed by two talented soloists of broad artistic range, acclaimed not only in Latvia but across Europe – the 2023 Grand Music Award laureate Katrīna Paula Felsberga, and Ilze Grēvele-Skaraine. The work is equally unimaginable without the full-bodied sound of the organ, performed by the music director and organist of the Rīga Cathedral Aigars Reinis.

A Mass resounding from the outside inward, from the crowd into solitude, and, at the core of everything, a silent plea: grant us peace.

Artists:
Katrīna Paula Felsberga – soprano
Ilze Grēvele-Skaraine – soprano
Aigars Reinis – organ
Men’s vocal group Auxilium
State Academic Choir “Latvija”
Liepāja Symphony Orchestra
Conductor Jānis Liepiņš

Program:
PART I
Jāzeps MEDIŅŠ Symphony No. 2 ‘Ziedonī’
PART II
Zigmars Liepiņš ‘Mesa’