Photo: Valters Pelns
The exhibition can be viewed free of charge during the opening hours of the concert hall. Creative team: curator – Liena Šmukste, set designer – Māris Ruskulis, lighting design – Mārtiņš Feldmanis, sound design – Jēkabs Nīmanis and Pāvils Jurjāns, large format photo – Jānis Porietis, texts – Agnese Rutkēviča and LNRMM research and implementation team.
Photo: Valters Pelns
At the end of the evening, listeners in person and live in “Digital Amber” all over the world had the opportunity to enjoy a festive concert, where the symphonic dances of Latvian composers were honored. The program was opened by a stage dance classic – Andrej Jurjānu’s cycle of four parts, where the famous couple dances “Jandāls” and “Ačkups” take pride of place. “Singing prelude and dancing fugue” by Pēteras Plakids sounded with its characteristic humor, with the motif of “Then, now” flashing at the end. Multicolored scenes from the Mērdzene fair in Latgale were illuminated in Edmund Goldstein’s bright “Dances of Mērdzenes”, followed by Jānis Ķepīš’s version of “Latvian dances”, which is crowned by the melody known to almost everyone “Es măcēju danci vest”. The music was interspersed with etudes written by Orest Silabriež, the artistic director of the concert hall, about dance in Latvia and Latvian destinies.
In the second part of the concert, the large hall was illuminated by impressive video projections created by the video artist “-8”, which were created especially for this concert with the aim of giving the listener the feeling as if he himself was in motion, dancing. “At times indulging in dizzying pirouettes, at other times sliding in a slow waltz, the viewer dances his way through various landscapes characteristic of Latvia, dreamed up with the help of the latest technology,” the artist describes the visualizations.
Elegant ladies and dashing cavaliers met in the light of thousands of candles in an airy dance to the III part of Imanta Kalniņš’s Sixth Symphony “Ball in the Palace”. Brilliant dance scenes were lit up in Tālivalža Kēniņa’s “Folk dance and fugue no. 2”. Sublime and solemn rhythms echoed in Jānis Mediņš’s “Polonese” and Jāzeps Mediņš’s “Fantastic Waltz”. This was followed by the freshness of Gäderts Raman’s first love “Impromptu Waltz” and Romuald Kalson’s “Tango” from Dzidra Rittenberg’s film “These Dangerous Balcony Doors”.
In gratitude for the stormy ovations of the audience, the musicians played Emīl Dārziņš’s “Melancholic Waltz” as a musical accompaniment, which was complemented by visualizations of “dancing” sea waves.
Concert “National holiday concert. Latvijai 106” was organized by SIA “Lielais Dzintars” with the support of Liepāja Municipality and the State Cultural Capital Fund. The exhibition is supported by: Liepāja Municipality, State Cultural Capital Fund, Kurzeme Planning Region, Latvian Historical Lands, Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia and AAS “BTA Baltic Insurance Company”.
Step Right Up! The National Holiday Concert: Latvijai 106
Welcome to the Dance of Light and Sound!
So, if you’ve ever thought about experiencing a cultural feast that resembles a fever dream after a night of too much Jāņu siers and possibly *some* questionable local beverages, then the
National Holiday Concert: Latvijai 106 at the concert hall in Liepāja is just the ticket! This isn’t just any ordinary concert, my friends. Oh no! This is an odyssey through
Latvian culture, light, and sound that you can’t afford to miss – and better yet, it’s free! (Which, let’s be honest, is what we all like to hear, especially in this economy!)
Setting the Stage: Creative Minds at Work
The lineup of creative geniuses behind this spectacle is enough to make any wallflower a bit envious! With curator Liena Šmukste leading the charge, we’ve also got set designer Māris Ruskulis, whose job title makes him sound like he should be running through the streets of Oslo instead of designing a concert hall setup.
Our techno-wizardry is powered by Mārtiņš Feldmanis on lighting (the caffeine-fueled master of the spotlight) and the sound design duo Jēkabs Nīmanis and Pāvils Jurjāns—who we secretly assume throw sound waves around like confetti at a toddler’s birthday party.
A Night of Daring Dances
As if that wasn’t enough razzmatazz, the concert kicked off with a stage dance classic by none other than Andrej Jurjāns—who apparently firmly believes that couples should break into choreographed dance as if life were a musical.
The crowd was treated to the famous “Jandāls” and “Ačkups” which suggests that apparently, having a good time in Latvia involves not just dancing, but doing it with some serious flair.
If you didn’t sit up a little straighter when “Singing Prelude and Dancing Fugue” by Pēteras Plakids came on, are you even Latvian? This piece, packed with good ol’ humor, surely had everyone nudging each other with that ‘ah yes, I feel this in my soul’ look.
Video Projections That Dance!
Now let’s talk about the visual feast provided by video artist -8, who must have taken “moving pictures” a little too literally! With stunning projections that made audiences feel as though they were pirouetting through the streets of Latvia, this was not just a concert; it was a cinematic experience on crack!
Imagine sliding in a slow waltz or indulging in dizzying pirouettes as Latvia’s landscapes whizzed by—it’s like scrolling through Instagram but with significantly more culture and less avocado toast.
Fancy Dances Under Candlelight
The atmosphere turned downright enchanting with the III part of Imanta Kalniņš’s Sixth Symphony “Ball in the Palace.” Picture this: scores of elegant ladies and dashing cavaliers shimmying about under thousands of candles.
Just imagine the #CandleGoals one could achieve for their Instagram feed! But here’s the kicker: you know you’re in for a treat when the audience gets to hear works like Jānis Mediņš’s “Polonaise”—crafted in such a way that even those who typically can’t be dragged onto the dance floor, felt their toes tapping.
And Just When You Thought It Was Over…
In an avalanche of applause and the kind of ovation that makes you question whether the crowd is cheering for the musicians or the moon itself, the ensemble returned with Emīl Dārziņš’s “Melancholic Waltz,” complete with visuals of
“dancing” sea waves that would seduce a mermaid off her rock!
A Heartfelt Thank You!
This concert was no mere coincidence, mind you! Organized by SIA “Lielais Dzintars” with hearty support from Liepāja Municipality and several other respectable institutions, it’s clear that
culture in Latvia is thriving! It’s like a reality show where every episode ends with a sponsored segment, yet we’re all applauding for the real winners—the dancers, musicians, and the beauty of the Latvian spirit!
The exhibition, showcasing an array of artistic endeavors, can be viewed free of charge during the concert hall’s regular opening hours. The creative team behind this remarkable display includes a curator, Liena Šmukste, who expertly steered the exhibition’s thematic direction; set designer Māris Ruskulis, who brought the space to life; and lighting designer Mārtiņš Feldmanis, whose work illuminated each piece with precision. The soundscape was crafted by sound designers Jēkabs Nīmanis and Pāvils Jurjāns, while the large format photography by Jānis Porietis offered striking visuals. Complementing this were texts penned by Agnese Rutkēviča and the dedicated LNRMM research and implementation team.
At the evening’s conclusion, attendees both present and those tuned in live from “Digital Amber” across the globe were treated to a vibrant concert that celebrated the artistic soul of Latvian composers. The concert kicked off with a classic cornerstone of stage dance, Andrej Jurjānu’s captivating cycle of four parts, featuring the hallmark couples’ dances “Jandāls” and “Ačkups”. Following this, Pēteras Plakids’s “Singing Prelude and Dancing Fugue” delighted the audience with its signature humor, culminating in a whimsical reference to the motif “Then, now.” Multiple scenes brought to life from the vibrant Mērdzene fair in Latgale were artfully illuminated in Edmund Goldstein’s “Dances of Mērdzenes”, leading into Jānis Ķepīš’s exhilarating rendition of “Latvian Dances,” which concluded with the universally recognized melody “Es măcēju danci vest”. The musical journey was further enriched by the etudes composed by Orest Silabriež, the artistic director of the concert hall, which reflected on the theme of dance intertwined with the rich destinies of Latvia’s people.
In the concert’s compelling second half, the grandeur of the large hall was accentuated by stunning video projections created specifically for this performance by the video artist known as “-8”. These projections were designed to envelop the audience in a multi-sensory experience, simulating the sensation of dancing through the various captivating landscapes that define Latvia. “At times indulging in dizzying pirouettes, and at other times sliding in a slow waltz, the viewer dances through diverse terrains, envisioned with cutting-edge technology,” the artist elaborated on the visualizations.
As the audience immersed themselves further into the evening, elegant ladies and dashing cavaliers took to the floor amid a sea of flickering candlelight during the third segment, showcasing Imanta Kalniņš’s enchanting Third Symphony, “Ball in the Palace”. Brilliantly choreographed dance scenes flourished in Tālivalža Kēniņa’s “Folk Dance and Fugue No. 2”, with the sublime rhythms of Jānis Mediņš’s “Polonese” and Jāzeps Mediņš’s “Fantastic Waltz” echoing through the hall. A jubilant freshness accompanied Gäderts Raman’s first love composition, “Impromptu Waltz”, transitioning seamlessly into the sultry rhythms of Romuald Kalson’s “Tango”, derived from Dzidra Rittenberg’s noteworthy film, “These Dangerous Balcony Doors”.
To express their heartfelt gratitude amidst thunderous applause from the appreciative audience, the ensemble played Emīl Dārziņš’s “Melancholic Waltz”, providing a mesmerizing musical backdrop enriched by visualizations depicting “dancing” sea waves.
The “National Holiday Concert. Latvijai 106” was orchestrated by SIA “Lielais Dzintars” with invaluable contributions from the Liepāja Municipality and the State Cultural Capital Fund. This exhibition is made possible with the support of the Liepāja Municipality, State Cultural Capital Fund, Kurzeme Planning Region, Latvian Historical Lands, Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia, and AAS “BTA Baltic Insurance Company”.
How did the performances enhance the audience’s connection to community and heritage in Latvia?
Mulating the feel of a lively dance through Latvia’s picturesque settings. Accompanied by the evocative sounds of Emīl Dārziņš’s “Melancholic Waltz,” the visual artistry transported attendees through rolling landscapes, vibrant cityscapes, and serene seascapes, creating a narrative that celebrated the beauty and diversity of Latvian culture.
As the performance progressed, the enchanting ambiance reached its zenith with Kalniņš’s “Ball in the Palace,” where a symphony of traditional elegance and modern energy merged seamlessly. The mesmerizing interplay of candlelight and music, paired with the artistry of seasoned dancers, made for a truly unforgettable climactic moment, capturing the heart and spirit of Latvian traditions.
With the ocean-like waves projected across the stage, the evening culminated in a powerful reminder of the importance of community, creativity, and cultural heritage. The audience’s enthusiastic response echoed throughout the hall, a testament to the successful fusion of various artistic elements and the shared joy of experiencing art in its many forms.
this concert was not just an event; it was a celebration of the resilience, diversity, and artistic ingenuity that define Latvian culture. Attendees left feeling inspired, their hearts and minds enriched by the performances and the creativity that surrounded them. So join in this cultural journey, for in Latvia, every gathering is an ode to the arts and the beautifully interconnected stories of its people!
