On December 20, the year's most festive musical event, the concert "Love and Dances", will take place in the warm Christmas atmosphere of the Ola Foundation cultural space, featuring virtuosos of world music.
That evening, the renowned violinist Gidon Kremer, who captivates audiences with his refined technique and emotionally charged performances, and the talented German pianist Julius Asal, whose playing has been praised for its “uniquely beautiful and nuanced sound”, will meet on one stage.
Gidon Kremer's name is known to classical music lovers around the world– he is not only an outstanding violinist and conductor, but also a Grammy Award winner and the founder of the chamber orchestra Kremerata Baltica. His performances on stage are always deeply personal and filled with moving musical storytelling.
Julius Asal is a Deutsche Grammophon and BBC New Generation Artist, and the recipient of Classic FM's "Rising Star 2024" title, and is one of the brightest pianists of his generation. His refined yet energetic playing style has won the hearts of audiences in legendary halls such as Wigmore Hall in London, Musikverein in Vienna, and others.
Gidon and Julius will also be joined by KREMERATA LETTONICA – an ensemble of outstanding Latvian musicians that combines virtuosity, passion, and a unique sound, offering an unforgettable musical experience at every performance and delighting audiences around the world.
Madara Petersone - violin
Zane Kalnina - violin
Yevgeniya Frolova - viola
Magdalena Ceple - cello
Yuri Gavriluk – double bass
The musicians will conjure a Christmas atmosphere with emotionally charged tangos by Astor Piazzolla, elegant Viennese waltzes by Joseph Lanner, and expressive film music by Dmitri Shostakovich. The program will also feature works by Johannes Brahms, Clara Schumann, Sergei Prokofiev, and Alfred Schnittke.
The concert will be in two parts with a 30-minute intermission. Guests are warmly invited to arrive from 18:15 to enjoy a glass of welcome wine and view the current exhibitions in the cultural space.
