Concert Performance “Daugava”

The program created by the mixed choir “Saknes” features the complete cycle “Daugava” by Mārtiņš Brauns, combined with a part of the poem “Sermon in Piņķi Church” and several other verses. The program is crafted as a unified story about Latvia's path to statehood. The musical cycle is performed by the choirs under the direction of conductor Ārijs Ādamsons. The musical accompaniment is performed by the choir's accompanist Austris Kalniņš. Poetry is read by choir member and the idea's author Artis Virsis. The program's direction is by Valmiera Theatre actor Januss Johansons, who also participated in the first staging of “Daugava” in 1988 and is well-versed in the nuances of the work's musical and dramaturgical material.

The staging of Mārtiņš Brauns' song cycle “Daugava” is enriched with Rainis' words, complemented with verses from A. Čaks' poem “Touched by Eternity”. Both works are a vivid message about the awakening of the Latvian people and the formation of statehood. In today's context of events in Ukraine and other parts of the world, the theme of independence struggles and national awakening has gained new relevance. With Russia threatening the Baltic states and the entire Western civilization, it is particularly important, including through means of artistic expression, to strengthen and enhance contemporary society's understanding of patriotism, national self-awareness, state sovereignty, and its cost.

This concert performance has already been presented at the Riga Latvian Society. Its premiere occurred on the Day of Remembrance for the Defenders of the Barricades, January 20, 2024, when it was performed in the packed RLB Golden Hall, concluding with standing ovations and a joint performance of “Sun, Thunder, Daugava”. It should be mentioned that the Ādaži mixed choir “Saknes” has performed this concert performance in seven cities across Latvia and, on May 4 of this year, also appeared at the famous Temppeliaukio Concert Hall in Helsinki, where the performance was staged and delivered in collaboration with the aforementioned three diaspora choirs – “Ziemeļmeita” from Finland, “Meluzīna” from Luxembourg, and “In Corde Meo” from Denmark. As the Latvian choir “Ziemeļu Balsis” from Estonia has also shown interest in joining this project, the project has expanded in size, requiring a larger stage and more spacious hall for the audience. Considering the project's large scale and preparation process, audience feedback, and emotional experience, the choirs agreed on another joint concert in Latvia, on the evening of Lāčplēsis Day, and there is no more patriotic and significant place in Riga than the Great Hall of the Riga Latvian Society to perform this grand concert performance.

Briefly about the works – M. Brauns' cycle was written in 1988 for the staging of “Daugava” at the Valmiera Theatre, and one of its compositions, “Sun, Thunder, Daugava”, has become an anthem of the national awakening. In 2018, this cycle was recorded by the Latvian Radio Choir under the direction of S. Kļava, individual compositions from the cycle have been included in the Song Festival repertoire, but the cycle “Daugava” as a whole is not widely staged.

A. Čaks' poem “Touched by Eternity”, which tells about the events of World War I and the fate of Latvian riflemen, is a cornerstone of the Latvian cultural canon.

Entrance to the concert is by donation.