Concert “Symphony of Hope”
The 40th Anniversary Season of the Klaipėda State Music Theatre and International Music Day will be marked by the concert Symphony of Hope.
Inspired by these two significant occasions, the evening will unite the sacred depth of composer Alvidas Remesa’s music with the radiant symphonic light of Antonín Dvořák.
The theme of hope embedded within this festive programme will serve as a bridge between the theatre’s past and future, built through a joint performance by an extensive ensemble of soloists, choristers, and musicians led by conductor Tomas Ambrozaitis. This exceptional evening will also pay tribute to the theatre’s origins and to the people who have shaped its history over the past four decades.
Symphony of Hope: Concert Programme
Part I
Alvidas Remesa
Works for a cappella choir
(Performed by the Aukuras Choir of the Klaipėda Concert Hall)
Alvidas Remesa
Symphony-Oratorio No. VII “In Assumptione BMV”
(Performed by soprano and baritone soloists, the Aukuras Choir of the Klaipėda Concert Hall, the mixed choir of the Klaipėda State Music Theatre, and the symphony orchestra of the Klaipėda State Music Theatre.)
Composed in 2016, this work is dedicated to the mystery of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The composition consists of seven movements, whose dramatic and musical narrative gradually unfolds the defining events of Mary’s earthly life and spiritual journey, from the mysterious Annunciation by the Angel to her mystical Assumption into Heaven. The work incorporates sacred liturgical texts sung in three languages: Aramaic, Latin, and Lithuanian. The monumental collaboration of soloists, two professional Klaipėda choirs, and a symphony orchestra creates a contemplative, mystical, and majestic sonic landscape that invites listeners into a profound spiritual experience.
Part II
Antonín Dvořák
Symphony No. 8 in G Major, Op. 88
(Performed by the Symphony Orchestra of the Klaipėda State Music Theatre.)
Composed in 1889, this work is regarded as one of the most luminous and freely conceived masterpieces of the Romantic symphonic repertoire, marking Dvořák’s departure from the strict conventions of German academicism. The four-movement symphony was written amidst the peaceful surroundings of the Bohemian countryside, and its music is filled with images of nature, birdsong motifs, and an exuberant sense of joy in life. Its dramatic arc is woven from a wealth of expressive, songful melodies and rhythms inspired by Czech folk dances, culminating in a vibrant and energetic finale. Overflowing with enduring optimism, the symphony won international acclaim upon its premiere and remains one of Dvořák’s most frequently performed orchestral works worldwide.
