The Madona Young Composers Masterclasses have become a very valuable annual meeting point for young composers, experienced composition teachers and professional musicians.
Organised by Mārtiņš Bergs and Jānis Norvilis Madona Music School, the masterclasses create a practical environment where new music is developed directly through collaboration between composers and performers. This year, 15 new works involving electronics were created during the week, and I had the pleasure of taking part in five of them.
The works I performed were:
Justinas Valionis – Ticklets for saxophone
Rūta Zālīte – sonder for saxophone and kokle
Anželika Levičeva – Peace for saxophone and accordion
Karīna Damberga – Triii0.o for flute, saxophone and piano
Elizabete Batņa – vai spēks ir kluss? for flute, saxophone, cello, kokle and piano
For a performer, this kind of process is especially meaningful. A new piece is not simply delivered in its final form — it develops through rehearsals, discussion, experimentation and direct communication with the composer. Questions about notation, instrumental possibilities, balance, electronics and interpretation can be addressed immediately, and the composer can hear how the musical ideas function in practice.
It is also a very direct way of expanding the repertoire. Each new work opens another possibility for future concerts and creates a new connection between composers and performers.
Many thanks to the young composers for trusting us with their music and for adding five new works to my repertoire.
It was also a pleasure to share the stage with a wonderful group of musicians: Vita Rozēna-Gaļicka, Līga Griķe, Herta Hansena, Anta Puķīte and Ēriks Kiršfelds.
And special thanks to the composition teachers and mentors Gundega Šmite, Rolands Kronlaks and Dimitris Maronidis, whose guidance and experience helped the young composers shape their works throughout the masterclasses.
Projects like this are important because they give young composers something that cannot be replaced by classroom work alone: the opportunity to hear their music performed by professional musicians, to make changes in real time, and to experience the complete journey from an initial musical idea to a live performance.
Thank you to everyone involved in another inspiring week of new music in Madona!
