Juris Karlsons: Dances of Life and Death – Liepaja Symphony Orchestra & Guntis Kuzma

This album features world premiere studio recordings of symphonic works by a prominent Latvian composer Juris Karlsons (1948).The varied pieces on this album share a common characteristic: they are linked with the stage, with theatre, and therefore with another kind of art, namely, narrative art. Yes, in different forms and degrees of directness or indirectness, but the spotlights are there, not to mention the fact that all of the works are rooted in literary compositions as their original message, as their impulse. And one can certainly feel that Karlsons’ own contribution also includes a slice of theatre and theatricality. As it does in each one of us. With all the monologues and dialogues, the expositions and the silent final scenes… But, if it is a composer offering us such a view, such a vision, it must also contain a trick of sorts, a catch, a special angle, a lock and key.

Juris Karlsons is now among the older generation in Latvian music. He has been active in a wide range of roles as a musician and cultural figure, but above all as a composer in a variety of musical genres. He has also been a pedagogue, served as rector of the Jazeps Vitols Latvian Academy of Music (1990-2007), and earned a Dr. honoris causa degree. The dynamic, diverse and prolific Karlsons has been a prominent public figure in music (consulting, serving on juries, commissions and councils) and was the chairman of the Latvian Composers’ Union from 1989 to 1993. He is a recipient of the Order of the Three Stars, 3rd Class.

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The Liepaja Symphony Orchestra (LSO) has been sharing the love of music with listeners in Latvia and beyond for more than 140 years now.

The LSO’s mission is to create a meaningful bond between music and people, making music accessible and enjoyable, and to celebrate our rich cultural heritage through beautiful music at every concert.

In 2010, the LSO acquired the status of a national orchestra, thus becoming a significant ambassador of Latvian culture throughout the world, delighting the audience both with classical music masterpieces at concerts and placing special emphasis on Latvian composers and promoting their works – the orchestra participates in premieres and commissions a significant amount of new works.

All compositions of the monumental 12 Liepaja Concerti cycle proposed by the LSO were exposed to the public and experts for appraisal. So far, the symphonies of Latvian composers such as Rihards Dubra, Imants Kalnins, Andris Vecumnieks and Janis Lusens have been performed in the LSO Latvian centenary symphony series, while in 2019, at the suggestion of the LSO, the opera Saga of Suiti by Rihards Dubra was written.

One of the orchestra’s most valuable traditions is the Liepaja International Star Festival, which has been held every spring since 1993. It was originally founded by Imants Resnis, the longtime chief conductor of the orchestra (1992-2009), as the Piano Stars Festival, and it has attracted almost 200 prominent soloists from all over the world.

Since autumn 2022, the chief conductor and artistic director of the LSO is Guntis Kuzma.