Creative Association ‘Taureņi debesīm’ (Butterflies to the Sky) – charming violinist Alise Juška, even-tempered Arnis Pukšēns with viola da gamba and brisk Jānis Pelše at positivus (a little portable organ). Alise Juška received education at the best Early Music high schools in Europe – in Amsterdam and in Basel; she can be considered the leader of ‘the butterflies’ – the programmes compiled by her have clear concepts and are very well thought through. The music performed by ‘Taureņi debesīm’ is never boring – they offer breath-taking musical adventures. The core of the concert of July 30 is the meeting of Italian and German baroque music in the 17th century when this sensual trend of art turned from its first elegant dance steps into a system of sounds, full of passion and lace-like ornaments. The concert will feature Uku Joller – bass baritone - outstanding Estonian interpreter of Early Music. Alise Juška will play not only on baroque violin but also on the mysterious instrument viola d’amore. It is a love viola – a special kind of viola which was so popular in the 17th and the 18th centuries. It is held under the chin and played like a violin. Its timbre is not bright but soft. Usually it has 14 strings – seven are played on and seven are the so called vibrating strings. The description of the instrument can be found in encyclopaedias of Mattheson, Brosara, Valtera, Rousseau and other great minds. Mattheson appreciates the softness of the sound but regrets that the viola is so small. Leopold Mozart notes that it sounds lovely in the darkness of the night and Albrechtsberger’s constructive remark is that viola d’amore is a delightful instrument for chamber music.
