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Distant Light
Pēteris Vasks

Distant Light

Daniel Rowland

Label: Challenge Classics
Format: CD
Barcode: 0608917283020
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Catalog number: CC 72830
Releasedate: 24-09-20
- An ideal selection of works to be introduced to the music of Peteris Vasks, one of the major composers of our time.
- Vasks’ music is imbued with spirituality and is easily approachable by a wide range of listeners, from the connoisseur to the outsider.
- Rehearsed and recorded at the presence of the composer, this CD represents the most authoritative and appealing sample of Vasks’ music.
- Get intellectually and emotionally moved by this great music!

This CD offers an overview of four of Peteris’s most iconic works, from the large scale, dramatic Violin Concerto ‘Distant light’, and the magically dreamy meditation ‘Lonely Angel’, to his evocation of Latvian landscape and birdsong ‘Plainscapes’ and the extatic ‘Dona Nobis Pacem’.

Daniel Rowland: The first piece by Peteris Vasks that I heard, about a decade ago, was his magnificent Violin Concerto ‘Distant light’, already a modern classic, and I was blown away by the deep emotional impact of this extraordinary music, that seemed to me both wonderfully mysterious, connected to ancient times, touched by a sublime spirituality and at the same time viscerally exciting and with moments of stunning virtuosity. Last summer, when Peteris accepted my invitation to come to the 15th edition of my Stiftfestival in Holland as Composer in Residence I was truly excited at the chance to work closely with him on several of his pieces. At the festival we performed many of Peteris’ works, solo, chamber and orchestral, with wonderful artists. The week culminated with the concert that you now hold in your hands, in the splendid, deeply atmospheric and acoustically wonderful 15th century Plechelmus Basiliek in Oldenzaal.

Pēteris Vasks:  Most people today no longer possess beliefs, love and ideals. The spiritual dimension has been lost. My intention is to provide food for the soul and this is what I preach in my works