Concerts 2025
This year, the festival’s thematic focus is on environmental and ecological issues. From October 27 to November 1, concerts, discussions, and other – not only musical – events will take place at the festival’s two now-familiar main venues: Riga Reformed Church and the gallery Istaba. The program will also feature a new episode of the podcast Arena Speaks and the concert journey Arena Travels, both led by composer Andris Dzenītis.
LIVING PIPES. Sound Installation
Monday, October 27, 7:00 p.m. at gallery Istaba
An evening with multimedia artist Anders Lind
Installation open until November 1
ENSEMBLE MUSIKFABRIK. Festival Opening Concert
Tuesday, October 28, 7:00 p.m. at Riga Reformed Church
Performers: Ensemble Musikfabrik (Germany)
Programme: Heart Blowing by Georges Aperghis; world premieres by Krõõt-Kärt Kaev, Jānis Petraškevičs, and Ailís Ní Ríain
FLOWING TEXTURES
Wednesday, October 29, 7:00 p.m. at Riga Reformed Church
Performers: Kārlis Auziņš (saxophone) and Ella Zīriņa (guitar)
Programme: works by Kārlis Auziņš and students of the JVLMA Department of Composition
Podcast ARENA SPEAKS. Discussion
Thursday, October 30, 6:00 p.m. at gallery Istaba
Composer Andris Dzenītis in conversation: Art and Music
VOICES OF NATURE
Friday, October 31, 7:00 p.m. at VEF Culture Palace Chamber Hall
Performers: Ensemble Kwartludium (Poland), Markuss Skraucis (cello) and vocal group Putni
Programme: works by Żaneta Rydzewska, Jenny Hettne, and Marie Samuelsson; world premieres by Jēkabs Nīmanis and Renāte Stivriņa
ARENA TRAVELS. Concert Journey with Andris Dzenītis
Saturday, November 1, 3:00 p.m. (departure from the Latvian National Library bus stop)
A musical adventure with conversations and concerts:
SEASONS
Saturday, November 1,
3:30 p.m. at Riga Catholic Gymnasium
Performer: Maciej Frąckiewicz (accordion)
Programme: Seasons by Przemysław Scheller
VOICING RIGHTS
Saturday, November 1,
5:00 p.m. at Aleponija Club
Performers: Viktorija Majore (voice) and Rvīns Varde (text)
Programme: works by Henrijs Poikāns, Žanete Spirka, Arturs Maskats, and Italian contemporary classics; world premiere by Agita Reķe
Saturday, November 1, 7:00 p.m. at Riga Reformed Church
Performers: Baltic Percussion Trio – Guntars Freibergs, Andrius Rekašius, and Heigo Rosin
Programme: works by Toru Takemitsu, Tobias Broström, and Madara Pētersone; world premieres by Anselms Kaugars, Linas Rupšlaukis, and Lauri Jõeleht
