Concerto for Viola and String Orchestra (2014-15)
Symphony for Strings 'Voices' (Balsis) (1991)

This is the world première recording of the Concerto for Viola and String Orchestra by Latvian composer Peteris Vasks (b. 1946). The recording sessions took place in the presence of the composer, so I guess it would be safe to say that the end result comes right from the source. You can sense that Maxim Rysanov's highly expressive playing is transported by the deeply emotive nature of the music itself. To Peteris Vasks, the viola is a particularly melancholic instrument, a very suitable one to talk about the time we are living in (booklet notes). Indeed, this music's plaintive and doleful reaction to the world we live in today is writ large all over the score. It's humbly asking us to bow our heads in sadness at the damage we've allowed to bear on humanity. The composer himself has said that in every piece there has to be something that leads the listener towards the light; in the Viola Concerto this path is more strenuous than in any other of his works (booklet notes).

For those of you unfamiliar with the music of Peteris Vasks, I would compare it, to a certain extent, to the music of Estonian composer Arvo Part. Somewhat minimalist in technique, and yet substantial in content, and highly accessible and communicative. And to those who know and enjoy this composer's music, I would confidently say that this Viola Concerto is one of his best works.