{"product_id":"4589538770488","title":"Albrecht Mayer - Vasks: Vasques: Orchestral Works Collection - Import CD","description":"\u003cp\u003eCredits:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAlbrecht Mayer\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDescription:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePēteris Vasks is one of the leading composers of contemporary Latvia. While his early works were at the cutting edge of the avant-garde, by the end of the 20th century he had shifted to a more accessible style that effectively incorporated elements of Latvian folk songs. His popularity began to grow around that time, and by the 21st century, his music was being performed all over the world.\nOf the three works included on this album, the “Oboe Concerto,” featuring the virtuoso Albrecht Mayer as soloist, is particularly noteworthy. This piece was composed to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Latvia’s declaration of independence in 1918, following World War I, as the “First Republic” (which was temporarily dissolved after being occupied and annexed by the Soviet Union in 1940). The first movement, titled “Morning Pastoral,” features a striking, dignified oboe melody that rises from the orchestra’s delicate sounds, reminiscent of morning mist. The music gradually gains in intensity, culminating in a brilliant climax toward the end. The second movement, a scherzo, transforms into a folk-style dance with a touch of melancholy. A virtuosic cadenza is featured in the middle section, culminating in an overwhelming orchestral climax. Then, in the third movement, titled “Evening Pastoral,” the oboe’s melody drifts through a landscape still echoing with the hustle and bustle of the morning. At the end of the piece, the oboe and percussion, mimicking birdsong, interweave exquisitely, bringing the work to a close while evoking a sense of hope. This compelling concerto, which encapsulates Vask’s love for his homeland and his hopes for peace, is presented here in its world premiere recording.\nThe two works from the 1980s, “Message” and “Lauda,” were both written during a time when Latvia was attempting to regain its independence from the Soviet Union. While they offer glimpses of emotions such as anger, anxiety, and despair, they also depict prayer and hope.\nNaxos Japan\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTracklisting:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e1.Concerto for Oboe and Orchestra~I. Morning pastorale\u003cbr\u003e2.Concerto for Oboe and Orchestra~II. Scherzando\u003cbr\u003e3.Concerto for Oboe and Orchestra~III. Evening pastorale\u003cbr\u003e4.Message (Vēstījums) for Two Pianos, Strings, and Percussion\u003cbr\u003e5.Lauda for Symphony Orchestra\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ondine","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53374674141473,"sku":"4589538770488","price":2511.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0568\/8482\/2076\/files\/4589538770488.jpg?v=1787632282","url":"https:\/\/cdsvinyljapan.com\/products\/4589538770488","provider":"CDs Vinyl Japan Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}