Gidon KREMER – violin
Conductor Andris POGA
Programme:
Sofia GUBAIDULINA Offertorium
Johannes BRAHMS Symphony no. 2
The year 2023 marks the 80th anniversary of the legendary Latvian maestro Mariss Jansons, and on 8 December, we will celebrate by inaugurating an exhibition featuring portraits of Mariss Jansons painted by the Norwegian artist Håkon Gullvåg and holding a symphonic music concert at the Great Guild, where, under the baton of Andris Poga, the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra will perform alongside the distinguished violinist Gidon Kremer, who has shared the stage with the maestro on numerous occasions. On this evening, the guest concertmaster of the orchestra will be Elise Båtnes, a longstanding violinist and current concertmaster at the Oslo Philharmonic, which Mariss Jansons led from 1979 to 2000.
Dedicated to Gidon Kremer, the violin concerto Offertorium by Sofia Gubaidulina draws inspiration from Bach and Webern, resulting in a multidimensional, symbolic work of musical art. Meanwhile, Johannes Brahms' Second Symphony is composed in the bright key of D major, blending warmth, fervour, and energy – qualities that precisely reflect the personality of the beloved maestro.
The concert is supported by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Latvia; The concert is funded by the State Culture Capital Foundation.
