VSIA “Latvijas Koncerti” invites you to enjoy the extensive program of the Riga Festival, which this year will be played from May 26 to June 21 in concert halls in Riga and Dzintari concert hall in Jurmala. At the festival, we will see the chamber orchestra “Kremerata Baltica” together with one of the most sought-after French pianists in the world – Likās Debarga. The concert program of the “Sinfonietta Rīga” chamber orchestra will be complemented by the outstanding Uzbek pianist Behzods Abduraimovs. Latvian public’s favorite musician Jānis Šipkēvics together with pianist Reina Zariņa will be seen in the special program “Latvieši”. The biggest foreign star of the festival this year will be the legendary American sax player Bob Mintzer. At the end of the festival, Maestro Raimonds Pauls and the beloved Latvian actor Andris Keišs will take the stage of the Dzintari concert hall.
“Rīgas Festivāls” will be opened with a brilliant and unrepeatable concert on May 26 in the Great Guild, where one of Europe’s most prominent chamber orchestras “Kremerata Baltica” and the sensation of the world of piano music – French pianist Likā Debargs will meet on the same stage. Chamber orchestra “Kremerata Baltica” has performed in more than 50 countries, 600 cities and has given more than 1000 concerts all over the world. In addition to an active concert life, the chamber orchestra is appreciated not only by the audience, but also by music critics – the orchestra has received a Grammy award, an ECHO Klasik award and a Gramophone award for its outstanding work. On the other hand, Likas Debargs is considered a phenomenally gifted pianist. In recent years, Debargs has given hundreds of sold-out concerts in Lika and recorded several solo albums for the Sony Classical music label. The “Riga Festival” concert program will feature the compositions of Sezārs Frank and Miloš Magin.
On June 3, the final concert of the 17th season of the award-winning State Chamber Orchestra “Sinfonietta Rīga” will be held in the Great Guild. One of the brightest pianists of his generation, Behzods Abduraimovs, and the chamber orchestra “Sinfonietta Rīga” will perform under the leadership of conductor Normunds Shne.
“A phenomenal pianist – Behzods Abduraimovs from Uzbekistan will perform with us. I am looking forward to this meeting with unusual interest and pleasant excitement. Sergei Prokofiev’s 2nd piano concerto and Behzod Abduraimov are made for each other. This program will also include Joseph Haydn’s 87th Symphony and Mexican composer Conlon Nankarov’s Etude for Mechanical Piano No. 7 – a work originally written for mechanical piano, as it is very difficult for a live performer to play it. The work is instrumented for a large ensemble, and I invite you to listen to the music of the piece, because such a cocktail of unusual rhythms and sounds is often not played due to its complexity,” said conductor Normunds Shne about the “Sinfonietta Rīga” concert.
On June 7, the concert program “The work of Astors Piacolla and Rihards Zaļupes” will feature saxophonist Aigars Raumanis, percussionists Reinis Tomiņš and Guntars Freibergs, who will play the music of Astor Piacolla, Akira Jujam, Jean-Francois, Gabriel Ortis, David Long, Glenn Palmer and Rihards Zaļupes.
On the other hand, on June 8, the American saxophonist, composer, arranger and pedagogue Bob Mincers and the Latvian Radio big band will perform at VEF Culture Palace. Bob Mintzer has written more than 500 big band arrangements, several jazz music books, orchestral and chamber music works. Participated in more than 1000 recordings and performed with many world-class jazz stars.
“Bob Mintzer is one of today’s most visible saxophonists. In 1991, Bob Mintzer joined the “Yellowjackets” line-up, which was a decisive turning point for the group, because thanks to him, the group is still one of the most sought-after jazz music groups in the world. Bob Mintzer’s contribution is equally significant as a performer as well as a composer and arranger. His music is very popular in the repertoires of both professional and student big bands,” says Kārlis Vanags, the artistic director of the Latvian Radio big band. Featuring original music by Bob Mintzer.
As part of the “Riga Festival”, on June 9, singer, author of music and lyrics, producer Jānis Šipkēvics and internationally recognized virtuoso Latvian pianist Reinis Zariņš will perform an exciting and unusual concert program in Dzintari concert hall. In the program, original music by Jānis Šipkēvics, songs by Artur Maskats with lyrics by Jānis Šipkēvits and the world premiere of Andras Dzenīš’s cycle for voice and piano “White Songs”.
On June 10, in the Great Guild, we invite you to enjoy bright and virtuosic pieces in a solo concert by pianist Daumantas Liepiņš. Daumants Liepiņš is the new, rising star of the world of piano music. In addition to solo concerts in various parts of the world, Daumants Liepiņš has performed with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Helsingborg, Romania, Georgian National Symphony Orchestras and the Kaunas Symphony Orchestra. As well as being a laureate of many international concerts. As part of the “Riga Festival”, Daumants Liepiņš will perform compositions by Johannes Brahms, Đerģ Ligeti, Pēteras Vaskas, as well as a new work by Artur Maskats.
On June 15, eight talented cellists will perform in the concert program “The charm of cello music” in Spīķeru concert hall: Guna Šnė, Madara Botmane, Klāvs Jankevics, Kārlis Klotiņš, Madara Norbūte, Elīza Petrenko, Anton Trotsyuks, Dace Zālīte-Zilberte. The extraordinary concert program will include the music of Max Bruch, Gabriel Fauré, David Popper, Maurice Ravel, Stefan Schrader, Svante Henrisson, Giovanni Solim.
On June 21, in the Dzintari concert hall “Rīgas Festivālu”, a magnificent meeting on stage will conclude – maestro Raimonds Pauls, actor Andris Keišs, singer Paula Saija and the Latvian Radio big band. Original works and jazz music by Raymond Paul.
Tickets can be purchased at “Bilešu paradīze” ticket offices and on the Internet.
The website of the festival is www.rigasfestivals.lv
