Bach and the Jubilarians. Vasks, Kalējs, Zemzaris.

Ligita Sneibe (organ)
Programme: J. S. Bach, P. Vasks, A. Kalējs, I. Zemzaris

Bahs un jubilāri 2026 Sneibe 20.03 (1).pdf

In the spring of 2026, Rīgas Doms will become the home of a significant organ music festival, marking the anniversaries of three outstanding Latvian composers — Pēteris Vasks (80), Imants Zemzaris (75), and Aivars Kalējs (75). They are universally recognized classics whose contribution to Latvia’s culture is invaluable.
The music of Pēteris Vasks has been widely performed across the world for several decades, becoming a symbol of spiritual strength and love. Aivars Kalējs, himself an active organist and prolific composer, is regarded as a leading figure in contemporary organ music; his works are included in the repertoire of outstanding foreign organists as well. Meanwhile, Imants Zemzaris, with his picturesque and poetic sound world, occupies a special place in the landscape of Latvian music.

Eight distinguished Latvian organists will perform nearly the entire body of organ works written by the jubilarians in seven concerts — a significant and unprecedented event in Latvia’s concert life.

The programs will be complemented by organ music of Johann Sebastian Bach — Bach’s birthday on March 31 is celebrated each year at Rīgas Doms. His organ works, filled with majestic virtuosity and the breath of cathedral grandeur, are the golden repertoire of this instrument.

The anniversary concert cycle will be opened by organist Ligita Sneibe. The program will include Bach’s fugue from the Magnificat (BWV 733), the Fantasy and Fugue in C minor (BWV 537), and the chorale prelude O Mensch, bewein dein Sünde groß. We will also hear one of Pēteris Vasks’ most dramatic works for organ, Musica seria, which the composer himself has described as “heavy thunderstorm clouds with a small streak of light.”

Several works by Aivars Kalējs will be heard as well, including Lux aeterna, Jūriņ’ prasa smalku tīklu, and the festive Wedding March. The organist has developed a close collaboration with composer Imants Zemzaris, and the concert will feature his composition Zili zaļa Kurzeme. Imants Zemzaris once described Ligita Sneibe — the initiator and first performer of this work — as follows: “Outwardly restrained and reserved, yet within she harbors unceasing energy, a bright and vital force, perseverance, and faith. Perhaps the piece Zili zaļa Kurzeme turned out that way — like a quiet intuition of a hopeful, brightly growing land.”