Māris Sirmais

To mark the 140th anniversary of the organ at Riga Cathedral, Latvian organist Iveta Apkalna and the Latvian Choir are presenting a concert combining classical works (Johann Sebastian Bach, Franz Liszt) and contemporary pieces (Sven-David Sandström), showcasing the rich sound of this exceptional instrument.

In 1873, brave men known as the New Latvians held the first-ever Latvian song festival under the watchful eye of oppressive censorship. This massive celebration, featuring 1,003 singers – both men and women – changed the course of the nation’s history. It stands as a unique example of non-violent resistance in the fight for freedom against imperialism, led by Latvia’s entrepreneurs, writers, publicists and ordinary villagers.

Slow, gentle, mysterious: Pēteris Vasks' music seems timeless. A major figure in contemporary composition, the composer blends Latvian traditions and Western European musical worlds with rare elegance. Choral music plays a central role in his work, as evidenced by this concert combining voices, strings and organ recorded in Ventspils.