Composer Ēriks Ešenvalds has created a work, somewhat like a symphony, in which he meditates on the work and the heart of Latvian female poets. It’s called VĒSTULES (LETTERS). The performers are the poets themselves (their recorded voices), their texts as sung and read by the choir and the soloist, and the piano soloist who plays with and without the choir, and speaks and reads and sings.

In the evening programme, the Ešenvalds’ symphony is balanced by a sort of dialogue between John Tavener and Olivier Messiaen’s music — the choir sings Tavener, the pianist plays Messiaen, however, at the end, they exchange places and also join forces for a few miraculous moments.

Venue: Concert hall LATVIA, City of Ventspils

Composer Ēriks Ešenvalds has created a work, somewhat like a symphony, in which he meditates on the work and the heart of Latvian female poets. It’s called VĒSTULES (LETTERS). The performers are the poets themselves (their recorded voices), their texts as sung and read by the choir and the soloist, and the piano soloist who plays with and without the choir, and speaks and reads and sings.

In the evening programme, the Ešenvalds’ symphony is balanced by a sort of dialogue between John Tavener and Olivier Messiaen’s music — the choir sings Tavener, the pianist plays Messiaen, however, at the end, they exchange places and also join forces for a few miraculous moments.

Venue: Latviešu biedrības nams, Rīga

Dubra’s concert-length work follows Christ’s Passion in 15 scenes where dark evil mingles with warm love. Dubra takes the ancient tradition of the Stations of the Cross, but imbues the list with his own choice of stations from the gospel narrative starting as early as in the Garden and ending, appropriately, with Christ’s Resurrection. This work has been commissioned and premiered by Reinis Zariņš, and in 2025, it was awarded the Grand Music Award as the Best New Work of the Year 2024.

This concert is part of Liepāja Stars Festival.

Venue: Great Amber Main Hall, Liepāja

The annual Grand Music Award ceremony is now on tour — every year in a different regional concert hall of Latvia, this time in concert hall Cēsis. The nominees participate in the extravagant celebration of art music with performances of a great variety. Reinis Zariņš has received the nomination Musician of the Year for his performances in 2025.

Venue: Concert hall Cēsis

Organised by the Entrepreneurs for Peace Foundation in cooperation with the Latvian National Opera, this fundraising concert will gather Latvian musicians with the hope that the power of music can, indirectly, save lives. All proceeds from the event will be dedicated to supporting Ukrainian defenders by improving the evacuation of wounded soldiers from the front line, adapted to the realities of modern warfare. More info: https://aizvedmani.lv/en

Venue: Latvian National Opera and Ballet

This is the second lied recital programme of Zanda Švēde and Reinis Zariņš. The theme is love in its varied forms and expressions, as found in Schubert and Mahler’s songs, interspersed with piano works by Schumann and Brahms. Sehnsucht is the keyword here.

Part of Vienna Classics Festival, organised by Latvijas Koncerti.

Venue: The Small Guild hall, Old Town of Rīga

An annual tradition, this concert gathers the four leading orchestras of Latvia to perform Latvian symphonic music of yesteryear and today. The 2026 edition includes the performance of Pēteris Vasks’ Second Violin concerto with Vineta Sareika as the soloist, as well as Volfgangs Dārziņš’ Second Piano concerto with Reinis Zariņš as the soloist.

Venue: Riga Congress House

A new programme investigating Arvo Pärt’s impact on his friends and contemporaries. Music by Arvo Pärt, Pēteris Vasks, Georgs Pelēcis, Andrejs Selickis, Valentin Silvestrov.

Venue: Latgale Embassy GORS, City of Rēzekne

The only Latvian classical music radio station LATVIJAS RADIO 3 a.k.a. Klasika celebrates their 30th anniversary with a grand gala concert in Latvian National opera. Performers include Elīna Garanča, Raimonds Pauls, Latvian Radio choir, Latvian National symphony orchestra and others.

In this classic programme, Reinis will interpret Beethoven’s Second Piano concerto together with conductor Guntis Kuzma and Latvian National Symphony orchestra.

This intimate lied recital is Zanda and Reinis’ first full concert together. Their motto: light in darkness, hope in despair. With these songs, the musicians invite their audience to meditate on the unfathomable darkness found in humans and the sources of hope and deep joy available to us all.

Featuring music by Mahler, Schoenberg, Muhly, Dove, Corigliano

Venue: Dzintari concert hall, Jūrmala

Reinis returns to Akustika music room in Valmiera with his Bach & Chopin programme. In this programme, Reinis investigates Bach’s influence on Chopin. For most listeners, these two famous composers seem too different to be placed side by side. However, Chopin’s well-documented reliance on Bach’s music throughout his life invites the curious mind to compare the two grands and see what they may have learnt from one another. Programme includes preludes by both composers, as well as more substantial opuses.

The version of the programme performed on 23 Nov will be slightly shorter than elsewhere and will skip intermission altogether.

Reinis returns to ZEIT culture centre in Līgatne with his Bach & Chopin programme. In this programme, Reinis investigates Bach’s influence on Chopin. For most listeners, these two famous composers seem too different to be placed side by side. However, Chopin’s well-documented reliance on Bach’s music throughout his life invites the curious mind to compare the two grands and see what they may have learnt from one another. Programme includes preludes by both composers, as well as more substantial opuses.

Reinis returns to Zvejniekciems Culture Centre with his Bach & Chopin programme. In this programme, Reinis investigates Bach’s influence on Chopin. For most listeners, these two famous composers seem too different to be placed side by side. However, Chopin’s well-documented reliance on Bach’s music throughout his life invites the curious mind to compare the two grands and see what they may have learnt from one another. Programme includes preludes by both composers, as well as more substantial opuses.

Reinis returns to Ventspils’ most beautiful concert hall with his Bach & Chopin programme. In this programme, Reinis investigates Bach’s influence on Chopin. For most listeners, these two famous composers seem too different to be placed side by side. However, Chopin’s well-documented reliance on Bach’s music throughout his life invites the curious mind to compare the two grands and see what they may have learnt from one another. Programme includes preludes by both composers, as well as more substantial opuses. For this concert, Reinis will be using the Klavins 470i and Klavins Una Corda instruments alongside the traditional Steinway grand piano.

Guntars Freibergs & Juris Āzers conclude their artistic residency in concert hall “Cēsis” with this exciting programme featuring Variations by Fazil Say and the explosive two piano concerto by Dobrinka Tabakova. The percussion duo will be joined by two pianists — myself and Daumants Liepiņš, as well as the well known violinist Hugo Ticciati.

Venue: Concert hall CĒSIS

It is staggering to know the wonderful richness of Jānis Mediņš’ musical expression and also to know that he was self-taught. Some of his music has become so ingrained in the Latvian subconscious that Latvians think it is folk music. Yet there are many works almost no one has ever heard, and some of them will be brought to light in Reinis Zariņš’ new album dedicated exclusively to Jānis Mediņš’ music. The concert in OLA FOUNDATION will serve as the album launch event, but will also present other composers’ music.

The new album will be released on SKANI, and the concert audience members will have the opportunity to purchase the new album and have it signed by Reinis Zariņš.

On 9/11, Arvo Pärt turns 90. Many Latvian musicians will share the reimagined stage of Hanzas Perons to honor the composer by performing his works - from solo piano to cello octet, all in one breath. I’m hugely looking forward to this very special event — it will be beautifully unusual for a concert.

On 9/11, Arvo Pärt turns 90. Many Latvian musicians will share the reimagined stage of Hanzas Perons to honor the composer by performing his works - from solo piano to cello octet, all in one breath. I’m hugely looking forward to this very special event — it will be beautifully unusual for a concert.

Viktoria and Reinis present a programme of Brahms, Schubert and Pärt as part of the unique Musique & Nature En Bauges festival.

Reinis returns to the quaint and heavenly village of Lagarde Viaur in Occitania, France, to perform his Bach & Chopin programme. In this programme, Reinis investigates Bach’s influence on Chopin. For most listeners, these two famous composers seem too different to be placed side by side. However, Chopin’s well-documented reliance on Bach’s music throughout his life invites the curious mind to compare the two grands and see what they may have learnt from one another. Programme includes preludes by both composers, as well as more substantial opuses.

Concert takes place in the Église Saint Thomas de Canterbury in Lagarde Viaur, 81190 Montirat.

Tickets €15; reservations strongly recommended (French) under +33 7 86 25 88 49 or (English, German, French or Dutch) under +49 163 378 09 89

Late night recital in Sv. Trīsvienības Romas katoļu baznīca in Kuldīga. Part of Kuldīga Classical music night in the Catholic quarter. Tickets and more info will be published soon.

Viktoria Mullova and Reinis will spend a day of filming their music-making in the unique Concert Lab, Utrecht, and will conclude the day with a short public performance, the so-called Last Take. Location: Leeuwenbergh, Utrecht. More info / tickets coming soon.

In this recital, Reinis investigates Bach’s influence on Chopin, taking as his entry point the fact that Chopin carried Bach’s Well-tempered Clavier (48 preludes and fugues) with him throughout his life, including the trip to Mallorca where Chopin composed his own set of Preludes. The concert will take place in the oval-shaped Cupola hall in Jaunauce Castle.

The centrepiece of this programme is the deeply poetic song cycle WHITE SONGS composed by Andris Dzenītis to Aleksandra Line’s texts, written expressly for Reinis Zariņš and the unique voice of Jānis Šipkēvics. For a dramatic conclusion of the programme, Reinis and Jānis is joined by Mārtiņš Klišāns in Britten’s canticle Abraham & Isaac.

Reinis and Viktoria will perform a recital in the illustrious Scuola Holden, Torino (Italy), as part of the latter’s acclaimed Seven Springs concert series — a new, informal concert format.

A live performance of a monumental work by Rihards Dubra for Good Friday, commissioned and performed by Latvian concert pianist Reinis Zariņš.

Well-known Latvian composer of sacred music, Rihards Dubra has created a concert-length work for solo piano about the Passion of the Christ. The structure of this work is based on the traditional Stations of the Cross, a ritual walk contemplating the events of Good Friday. In Dubra's version, the Passion narrative embraces a wider and deeper panorama of events, revealing the meaning of Christ's suffering, the role of the Evil and the surprising conclusion, which the traditional Stations usually leave out. Dubra's dramatic music is clearly divided into two languages - one revealing the characters of darkness, the other - those of light.

Visions of the Passion. Light is possibly the world's first work for solo piano based on the Stations of the Cross. Its monumental design and deeply personal expression intertwine to create a powerful listening experience. The work has been commissioned by the Latvian pianist Reinis Zariņš who gives the work its UK premiere on Good Friday 2025.

This concert takes place in the parish church of St Cuthbert, Edinburgh, Scotland

A live performance of a monumental work by Rihards Dubra for Good Friday, commissioned and performed by Latvian concert pianist Reinis Zariņš.

Well-known Latvian composer of sacred music, Rihards Dubra has created a concert-length work for solo piano about the Passion of the Christ. The structure of this work is based on the traditional Stations of the Cross, a ritual walk contemplating the events of Good Friday. In Dubra's version, the Passion narrative embraces a wider and deeper panorama of events, revealing the meaning of Christ's suffering, the role of the Evil and the surprising conclusion, which the traditional Stations usually leave out. Dubra's dramatic music is clearly divided into two languages - one revealing the characters of darkness, the other - those of light.

Visions of the Passion. Light is possibly the world's first work for solo piano based on the Stations of the Cross. Its monumental design and deeply personal expression intertwine to create a powerful listening experience. The work has been commissioned by the Latvian pianist Reinis Zariņš who gives the work its UK premiere on Good Friday 2025.

This concert takes place in Hanzas Perons (Rīga, Latvia)

On Palm Sunday live in Latvian Radio Studio No.1, Reinis will perform a recital programme meditating on the fact of human suffering throughout this age and the source of lasting hope. Music by Bach, Vasks, Britten and Silvestrov. For Britten’s canticle Abraham & Isaac, Reinis will be joined by Jānis Šipkēvics and Mārtiņš Klišāns. The concert will be broadcast live on Latvian Radio 3 and in Europe.

Dzintari Concert hall, Jūrmala, Latvia

On the week that marks Bach’s 340th birthday, Reinis Zariņš premieres his new recital programme investigating the inspiration Chopin drew from Bach’s music. The programme includes preludes in 24 keys, composed by both composers, as well as more substantial works - a toccata, a fantasia, a ballade and a polonaise.