Pēteris Vasks

“Being a composer means sharing joy and love for the possibility of harmony, at least in music,” says Pēteris Vasks, who celebrates his 70th birthday in 2016. He lives two parallel lives: one with the music that is born in his head, and the other – an everyday life, like any of us. The film crew takes a look at the composer's life from the creation of a piece of music to its premiere. It tells of the inspiration that the composer draws from the wonderful nature of Latvia, his childhood in a pastor's family during the Soviet era, and his inexhaustible joy of life. "The world must remain in balance so that we do not all fall into the abyss. The evil, aggressive and brutal, and that which is created by the power of love, faith and conviction... The less time I have left, the more I have to focus on the main thing – the affirmation of love."

Pēteris Vasks is one of Europe’s great contemporary composers who mixes a deep connection to nature with a profoundly Christian understanding of the world to create his meditative music. This concert is a tribute to the Latvian composer on his 80th birthday with the Latvian Radio Choir and Sinfonietta Riga. Programme: - Sava tauta for choir - The Fruit of Silence for choir and orchestra - Cosa devo fare for choir - Agnus Dei for choir and orchestra - Musica Serena for orchestra Da Pacem Domine for choir and orchestra - Actus Caritatis for choir - Mein Herr und mein Gott for choir and orchestra

Modern classical music that speaks direct to the heart: that is the aim of Latvian composer Pēteris Vasks. Across the world, orchestras and choirs, soloists, conductors, and an ever growing public have discovered the emotional power of his compositions. The film follows the composer in Riga, at rehearsals, composing alone, in private and in the nature, he loves so much. A sensitive portrait of an artist, and a very special person with a special view on our world. Vasks: "I am a sad optimist".