The Spring Concert promises a captivating array of performers, showcasing the talents of Mārtiņš Zilberts on piano, Aigars Reinis on organ, Kaspars Zemītis on guitar, Ivars Ozols on bass guitar, the Ventspils Chamber Orchestra, the “Ventspils” Mixed Choir, under the baton of conductor Aigars Meri, and guided by host Liene Jakovļeva.

This musical journey will not only feature Alfred Schnittke’s monumental Piano Concerto and his evocative “Three Sacred Hymns,” but also the timeless Romantic-era gems – Anton Bruckner’s ethereal motet “Os justi” and Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy’s majestic Psalm 100.

Schnittke’s Piano Concerto stands as a pinnacle of its genre, weaving a tapestry of light and shadow, from solemn Orthodox chants to spirited jazz motifs, all while probing the profound mysteries of human existence and the boundaries of mortality.

Composed in 1983, Schnittke’s “Three Sacred Hymns” draw inspiration from Orthodox liturgy, showcasing Schnittke’s signature artistic depth and intricate exploration of spirituality.

Composer Margers Zarins, a luminary in Latvian culture, describes his Second Organ Concerto, “Concerto Triptichon,” as a celebration of eclectic styles. Its paradoxical, cheerful, and theatrically exuberant nature combines elements from popular music with contemporary expression and Baroque concertante flair. With its unconventional instrumentation including electric guitars, jazz percussion, harpsichord, xylophone, and bells, Zarins invites listeners to ponder the fusion of diverse musical traditions.