On Monday, August 24 and Saturday, August 29 Q2 Music presents Jaunā Mūzika: Latvija (New Music: Latvia) – a 24-hour marathon of dynamic, colorful new music from the heart of the Baltics, Latvia. The program will repeat on Saturday, August 29 in its entirety.
Headlines about music from the Baltics tends to be to be dominated by the ambit of the world’s most performed composer - the Estonian Arvo Pärt - while original music of neighboring Latvia remains underserved and underappreciated.
In light of Latvia’s history of choral music and the international preeminence of its choirs, including the Latvian Radio Choir and Latvian National Choir, Q2 Music presents 24 distinct, continuous hours of music by 21st-century Latvian composers highlighting the thriving and eclectic compositional life of this hotbed of new music.
From the iconic majesty of Pēteris Vasks, to the ascendant voices of Ēriks Ešenvalds, Indra Riše and Arturs Maskats, to the emerging voices of Jekabs Janchevskis, Raimonds Tiguls and Santa Ratniece, Jaunā Mūzika: Latvija will showcase the kaleidoscopic world of compelling Latvian composers as well as Latvian ensembles, including Kremerata Baltica, Sinfonietta Rīga, the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra, Latvian youth choir BALSIS and the RIX Piano Trio, among others.
Jaunā Mūzika: Latvija is part of Q2 Music's 24 on the 24th series of presenting day-long marathons of music devoted to listener suggestions, notable anniversaries, hot-button topics in today's new-music scene, or favorite underrepresented themes worthy of exploration. To nominate idea for the series, click "Post a comment" below and leave your suggestions. We'd love to hear from you!
Special thanks to the Latvian Music Information Center, Latvian Radio 3 - "Klasika", Lucine and Daris Delins at Consulate of Latvia in New York, John J. Medveckis at Consulate of Latvia in Pennsylvania, Lauma Upelniece Katis, Dace and Gundars Aperans, Raimonds Kerno, Vella Tobis Melzer, Erik A. Niedritis, Ilze Petersons, Sylvia and Valdis Vinkels, American Latvian Association of Cultural Affairs, Council of Latvian Organizations of New York, Inc., Embassy of Latvia to the United States in Washington D.C., Latvian Cultural Association TILTS, Inc., Latvian Organists Guild in America, Latvian Relief Fund of America, Inc., Musica Baltica Ltd., New York Latvian Concert Choir, Inc., and World Federation of Free Latvians Cultural Fund.