On December 14 at 7:00 PM, The Riga Dome Cathedral will host a very special Christmas concert featuring a constellation of Latvia’s finest pianists — Daumants Liepiņš, Andrejs Osokins, Aleksandrs Komka, Aleksandrs Kalējs, Aivars Kalējs (organ), and the young prodigy, 11-year-old Gustavs Kalējs. The pianists will present a unique program in which celebrated musical masterpieces will take on new life: the audience will hear not only solo performances, but also piano duets, trios, and other musical surprises. The evening will open with a performance by the distinguished organist and composer Aivars Kalējs — the majestic sound of The Riga Dome Cathedral organ will envelop listeners in a festive atmosphere and create the feeling of a true Christmas miracle.
The special guest of the evening is the world-renowned soprano Inese Galante. Her enchanting voice, velvety timbre, refined pianissimo, and ability to reach profound dramatic depth have won the hearts of audiences worldwide. It is no coincidence that her repertoire includes some 40 leading operatic roles performed on the most prestigious stages across the globe. Within the cathedral’s magnificent acoustics, she will perform arias from Giuseppe Verdi’s Aida, George Frideric Handel’s Rinaldo, Francesco Cilea’s Adriana Lecouvreur, as well as Giulio Caccini’s divine Ave Maria.
This concert promises to be one of the most moving highlights of the Christmas season: a unique program, the artistry of outstanding performers, the grandeur of the acoustics, and the singular atmosphere of The Riga Dome Cathedral will offer the audience an unforgettable evening — a true celebration of music, inspiration, and light.
Aivars Kalējs — an eminent Latvian composer, organist, pianist, and scholar, author of more than 100 works of symphonic, organ, piano, chamber, and choral music. A participant in numerous international organ festivals, he has performed on some of the world’s most prestigious stages, including Notre Dame de Paris, the Vienna Philharmonic Hall, the Cadet Chapel at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point (home to the world’s largest organ), and many more.
Daumants Liepiņš — one of the brightest pianists of his generation. In 2019 in Switzerland, he was awarded the Vendome Prize at the Verbier Festival and took first place at the Maria Canals International Piano Competition in Barcelona. Following the release of his solo album in 2022, critics praised Liepiņš as a subtle interpreter with rich artistic imagination and brilliant mastery of his instrument, able to captivate audiences with ease and grace.
Andrejs Osokins — a brilliant pianist and laureate of the world’s most prestigious competitions. Critics describe him as “a mesmerizing personality, with a wide and expressive palette of tonal colors and an extraordinarily convincing sense of musical styles.” He has performed at renowned venues including the Berlin Philharmonie, the National Concert Hall in Dublin, the Royal Festival Hall, Wigmore Hall, St Martin-in-the-Fields, and Kings Place in London, the Opéra Comique in Paris, and the Symphony Hall in Birmingham. In 2018, he was awarded the distinguished status of Associate of the Royal Academy of Music in London.
Aleksandrs Komka — prizewinner of the Talanti Latvijai competition, Inese Galante Talents, and the Theodor Reiter Foundation Competition, he is one of Latvia’s most promising young pianists. He has won first prizes in competitions across Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden, Spain, Italy, and Hungary, and has been honored with the Latvian Ministry of Culture Award for outstanding achievements in music.
Gustavs Kalējs, the 11-year-old prodigy, studies at the Emīls Dārziņš Music School. He has already won the love of audiences and built a wide circle of admirers. Since his victory at the Inese Galante Talents competition, Gustavs has performed at numerous events organized by the Inese Galante Foundation, appeared with the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, and presented his own concert program “Gustavs Kalējs and Friends.” This year, he continues to achieve success in international competitions, participate in diverse concerts, and has also received a Letter of Recognition from the Latvian Ministry of Culture.
