Vasks: Concerto No. 2 for Violin and String Orchestra "In Evening Light"

Featuring

Antje Weithaas
Christopher Franklin
Camerata Bern
Pēteris Vasks

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Historical Context

Pēteris Vasks's experiences under Soviet rule, including military service in the Red Army and general restrictions, are reflected in his music through themes of 'Destructive Fury' and chaos.

Composition History

Pēteris Vasks, a Latvian composer, wrote his Violin Concerto No. 2, titled 'Vakara gaismā' ('In Evening Light'), in 2020 as a commissioned work.

Composer's Artistic Vision

As a self-proclaimed 'preacher in notes,' Pēteris Vasks attempts to describe the high and low episodes of human existence in his music, often interrupting moments of silence with 'outbursts of chaos.'

Recording & Production

This studio recording of Pēteris Vasks's Violin Concerto No. 2 was made in April 2024 at the Diaconis Church in Bern, Switzerland.

Composer Biography

Pēteris Vasks's religious beliefs and refusal to compose according to Soviet ideologies brought him disapproval from authorities during his upbringing under Soviet rule in Latvia.

Composer's Artistic Vision

The theme of light plays a significant role in Pēteris Vasks's Violin Concerto No. 2, with 'evening light' serving as a metaphor for the twilight years of life.