Catalogue

Summary:

Sebastian Bohren’s world-premiere recording of “In Evening Light”, the second violin concerto by Peteris Vasks, comes 25 years after the celebrated Latvian composer’s first, “Distant Light”, one of the most successful, oft-performed and recorded concertos by a living a composer. “In Evening Light” seems certain to follow in its forebearer’s footsteps, destined to become another modern classic.

“In Evening Light” – a three-movement, 38-minute work – is beautiful and contemplative, evoking a twilit world immersed in muted colours and permeated with deep shadows and dramatic contrasts. The album ends as it begins, with another atmospheric Vasks work. “Lonely Angel” is an homage to his late mother who lived through practically the whole of the 20^th century. The composer explains, “This piece is the vision of an angel flying alone above humankind, filled with grief at how cruel and aggressive we are to each other. Like a guardian angel he touches the earth with his wings and in that way offers us comfort and healing.”

Sandwiched in between is the contrasting, classical era Rondo in B minor by Franz Schubert, arranged for violin and strings. Preceding Vasks’ works by nearly two centuries, Schubert similarly revels in exploring ambiance and spaciousness.

Tracklist:

PĒTERIS VASKS (b. 1946)
Concerto No.2 ‘Vakara gaismā’ (‘In Evening Light’)
for violin & string orchestra • world-premiere recording
1. I. Andante con passione 11.32
2. II. Andante cantabile 17.08
3. III. Andante con amore 9.37

FRANZ SCHUBERT (1797–1828)
4. Rondeau brillant in B Minor Op. 70, D.895 – Andante – Allegro 15.07
arr. violin and strings Paul Suits

PĒTERIS VASKS
5. Vientuļais eņģelis (Lonely Angel) – Adagio 13.39
Meditation for violin & string orchestra

Sebastian Bohren, violin
Münchener Kammerorchester
Sergej Bolkhovets, conductor

Recorded: Himmelfahrtskirche, Sendling, Munich, 27–29 September 2023
Publisher: Schott Music (Vasks)
Recording Producer, Engineer, Editor: Andreas Neubronner
Mastering: Andreas Neubronner