Great Amber Concert Hall Begins an Active Concert Season

With the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra’s season-opening concert, the Great Amber Concert Hall will soon launch an exciting and active concert season. Audiences can look forward to academic performances featuring both renowned Latvian and international musicians. From monumental concert programs and intimate chamber music to the unexpected facets of contemporary compositions, the line-up promises a rich musical experience until the end of the year.

“I can’t wait to be both, a listener and a spectator, as the 'Great Amber' program is packed with so many tempting and intriguing offerings. From the “Liepāja Art Forum’s” enigmatic opera, the presence of Rothko, and reflections on life’s end, to chamber music featuring poetry by Jana Egle written especially for notes of Schubert and Cage, and the miraculous works of Komitas. There’s Andris Dzenītis’ love lines, great German composers, and on Latvia’s birthday, we will “dance”! Advent brings Honegger’s ingenious 'A Christmas Cantata,' blending popular Christmas carols, all of Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos in one evening. Just before New Year's, we’ll have the grand 'SNIEGums' concert with Latvian Voices. Everyone is warmly welcomed to immerse in the sounds and believe in the possibility of a better life,” invites Orests Silabriedis, Artistic Director of the Great Amber Concert Hall.

The popular chamber music series "Personally" opens its autumn season with a "Poetry Days" theme. On September 22, writer Jana Egle will present her new poetry alongside the Sinfonietta Rīga String Quartet and electronics master Normunds Šnē in a program titled "Girl and Angels." On October 16, dark folk music with the band "Juuk" and ballads by Armenian priest Komitas [in Latvian!] take the stage. November 24 will feature interpretations of Latvian composers by singer Jānis Šipkēvics and pianist Reinis Zariņš, followed on December 8 by a performance of elegant chamber works from distinguished German musicians – violinist Florian Donderer, cellist Tanja Tetzlaff and pianist Kiveli Dörken.

From September 27 to 29, the 10th anniversary of the Liepāja Art Forum contemporary art festival will be celebrated under the banner "Succession." Great Amber will serve as a place of reflection on the future, self-awareness, and global consciousness. The festival will feature a mix of vocal and instrumental music, contemporary dance performances, mono opera, a party, and art exhibitions, alongside special music and thought-provoking talks.

October 27 brings an exceptional opportunity to hear all six of Johann Sebastian Bach's Brandenburg Concertos, performed by the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra, the baroque music giants, in their only concert in the Baltics. Prior to the concert, experts from Latvia’s music scene will offer audience insightful discussions into these masterpieces.

On November 16, the already traditional National Day concert will highlight orchestral dances by Latvian composers, with the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra conducted by Ainārs Rubikis. The concert’s second half will showcase an impressive interplay of music and visual art, with video projections by artist "-8."

December 14, promises festive joy with a performance of Honegger’s "A Christmas Cantata," featuring the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra, State Academic Choir "Latvija," the Liepāja Music, Art and Design High School Boys Choir and singer Rihards Millers, all under the baton of conductor Vilhelms Vācietis. Whereas on December 21, the a cappella group "Latvian Voices" will join guitarist Kaspars Zemītis for a heartwarming festive concert, "SNIEGums."

The year 2025 will start with a highly anticipated solo concert by pianist Georgijs Osokins in January, who will present a new program blending Haydn, Brahms, and Mendelssohn, culminating in Liszt’s dramatic “Dante Sonata”. The pianist shares his vision: “In my quest for new horizons, unique sonorities, and a fresh interpretative approach, I have recently begun exploring the piano works of Haydn and Brahms. The program will feature a late and brilliant Haydn Sonata, alongside an early and deeply romantically mystical Brahms Sonata. We’ll open the concert with Mendelssohn's exquisite “Songs without Words,” and conclude with Liszt’s monumental “Dante Sonata” – a work I hold dear and have performed across the globe.”

Concerts are organized by SIA "Lielais Dzintars" Ltd. with support from Liepāja Municipality and the State Culture Capital Foundation. Tickets are available at "Biļešu paradīze" box offices, at the venue’s information centre and online at https://www.bilesuparadize.lv/en

For more information, please contact the Great Amber Concert Hall Information Centre at +37163424555 or info@lielaisdzintars.lv.  Information Centre Opening Hours are on Monday-Friday 11:00-17:00 and on Saturday-Sunday 10:00-15:00.

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