At the heart of the evening lies the world premiere of the Organ Symphony, commissioned especially for the occasion by Jēkabs Jančevskis – one of the most expressive and sensuous voices among the new generation of Latvian composers. His music is known for its emotional intensity and deep dramaturgy. Jančevskis masterfully blends tradition with a contemporary musical language, creating works that resonate with a broad audience.

The new symphony will be performed by world-renowned Latvian organist Iveta Apkalna, whose unmatched technical mastery and artistic sensitivity bring out the subtlest nuances of musical timbre. Her radiant charisma fills the stage with a vibrant and compelling presence.

In the second half of the concert, the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra will present one of the most significant works of early Romanticism – Symphonie fantastique: Episode in the Life of an Artist … in Five Sections, written in 1830 by French composer Hector Berlioz.

In this symphony, Berlioz reveals an unprecedented freedom of musical thought – daring orchestration and formal audacity that shatter the conventions of the classical symphony, resulting in a vivid musical psychodrama.

Telling the story of an artist driven to despair by unrequited love and attempting suicide by opium, this symphony has become one of Romanticism’s most striking masterpieces. Leonard Bernstein famously called it “the first musical expedition into psychedelia”.

Featuring:
Iveta Apkalna (organ)
Liepāja Symphony Orchestra

Conductor:
Guntis Kuzma

Programme:
Jēkabs Jančevskis (1992) Organ Symphony (Premiere)
Hector Berlioz (1803–1869) Symphonie fantastique

Iveta Apkalna will play for the first time on the new digital organ "Ahlborn Praeludium V", which was purchased on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the Liepāja Concert Hall Great amber thanks to the support of donors. We highly appreciate the generosity of our donors:

The Development Association of Liepāja Concert Hall Great Amber
Gundega Kreice
Zigurds Kirhners
Monta Magone
Guna Pīlēna
Gundars Viksna
Inta Seska
Lora Priedola
Ainars Kreics
SIA "Latvijas Mobilais Telefons" (thanks to the manager Juris Binde)
AS "SEB BANKA" (thank you to Ulrika Gēce, Head of Liepaja Branch)
Ēriks Timpars and Gatis Taurenis
Ivars Kesenfelds
Māris Stankevičs
Elmārs Balodis
Dainis Irbe

We would also like to thank the donors who chose to remain anonymous.