Pēteris Vasks, the composer, was born in Latvia in 1946, the son of a well-known Baptist pastor.
Recording & Production
This album was recorded live to disc during a concert at the Plechelmus Basiliek in Oldenzaal on August 23, 2019, following intensive rehearsals with composer Pēteris Vasks.
Historical Context
Pēteris Vasks's works often reference his personal biography and the suffering of the Latvian people, including the Soviet occupation and deportations.
Compositional Technique
Vasks's compositions incorporate archaic, folklore elements from Latvian music, placing them in dynamic relation with contemporary musical language.
Composition History
The Violin Concerto 'Distant Light' was written by Pēteris Vasks for Gidon Kremer, a former classmate, and was influenced by Kremer's book Moments from Childhood.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Pēteris Vasks, the composer, aims to provide "food for the soul" through his works, believing that the spiritual dimension has been lost in modern society.
Performer Biography
Daniel Rowland, the violinist on this album, founded the Stift International Music Festival in the eastern Netherlands in 2005, where he grew up.
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