Iveta Apkalna’s Christmas Programme

Iveta Apkalna is an organ virtuoso who helped the “Gors” Embassy in Latgale to get a new concert piano, and she tries to visit Latvia as often as possible.  First of all she takes part in her own festival, ORGANismi, which was organised for the second time this autumn.  Apkalna also has an extensive solo programme that has become an annual tradition during the Christmas season. 

This year the repertoire will be closely linked to the topic of light and darkness, which is so importance as the Winter Solstice approaches.  Alongside two classical organ compositions by Johann Sebastian Bach and the Belgian composer Joseph Jongen, light will sparkle and vibrate in organ opuses by Sofia Gubaidulina and Györgi Ligeti.  Iveta is particularly delighted that this year she will debut new opuses by Ēriks Ešenvalds and Arturs Maskats.  Ešenvalds’ miniature for organ and saxophone was inspired by the most brilliant saxophonist in the Rīga Orchestra, Oskars Petrauskis, while Maskats’ Prelude, Chorale and Variations on Bach will be a lovely dedication to the composer and the organist, whose combined ages this year will reach a centenary. 

Programme

Johann Sebastian Bach, Sofia Gubaidulina, Joseph Jongen, Györgi Ligeti 

Participants

Iveta Apkalna, organ
Oskars Petrauskis, saxophone