In celebration of our host country, this year’s evening concerts will feature outstanding Latvian ensembles alongside internationally renowned artists.
ITF 2026 Night Concert Lineup
July 29
Leipaja Orchestra with Christian Lindberg Conducting; Line Johanssen & Polina Tarasenko, Soloists
The Liepāja Symphony Orchestra (LSO) is the oldest orchestra in the Baltic States, founded in 1881 with the establishment of the first Philharmonic in the region. Its founder, Hanss Hohapfel, also served as the orchestra’s first conductor. Initially consisting of 37 musicians, the orchestra regularly collaborated with guest artists from Germany and Poland, gradually expanding in both size and artistic reputation.
After World War II, the orchestra resumed its work in 1947 under the leadership of Valdis Vikmanis, director of the Liepāja Music School, who served as conductor until 1987. A major milestone came in 1986 when the ensemble was granted the status of a professional symphony orchestra, becoming Latvia’s second professional orchestra. Conductors Laimonis Trubs and Jēkabs Ozoliņš played key roles in this development.
The orchestra’s artistic profile grew significantly under Imants Resnis, chief conductor from 1992 to 2009. During this time, LSO expanded its repertoire, toured internationally, and initiated the International Piano Stars Festival, now known as the Liepāja International Stars Festival.
In 2010, LSO was recognized as a national orchestra, the same year Atvars Lakstīgala became chief conductor. Since 2015, the orchestra has been based in Liepāja’s acclaimed Great Amber Concert Hall.
Today, under the leadership of Artistic Director and Chief Conductor Guntis Kuzma, the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra continues to champion Latvian music while performing widely in Latvia and abroad.
At the age of 23, Peter Steiner was appointed Trombonist of the Vienna State Opera and Vienna Philharmonic for the 2016-2017 season. Prior to that engagement he served as Principal Trombonist with the Colorado Symphony for the 2014-2015 season. He has performed as guest trombonist with the Munich Philharmonic, Staatskapelle Dresden, New York Philharmonic, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Seattle Symphony Orchestra and BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.
July 30
Peter Steiner and Constanze Hochwartner, Trombone and Organ at Riga Dome Church
Italian trombonist Peter Steiner’s playing has been described as “beautifully controlled with a vocal sound” and he is recognized around the world as “a new trombone star within his generation” who “plays with total control”. In 2019 he was honoured as a Prize Winner at the XVI International Tchaikovsky Competition in Russia.
July 31
Zemessardzes Orķestris (Latvian National Guard Orchestra); Major Andis Karelis, Conducting; Featuring the music of Johan De Meij
The National Guard Orchestra is the largest and youngest military orchestra in Latvia, established on 1 November 2011. It is an independent unit of the National Guard and includes a wind orchestra, a big band, the choir “Stars”, various chamber ensembles, and the folk dance ensemble “Bramaņi”.
The National Guard Orchestra not only provides musical accompaniment for military and protocol ceremonies, but also performs artistically high-quality and inspiring concerts. Its musicians and dancers are active supporters and participants of the Latvian Song and Dance Celebration tradition and have performed internationally in Lithuania, Estonia, Finland, Poland, Germany, Italy, Ukraine, Kosovo, Azerbaijan, the United States of America, and Canada. The orchestra also collaborates with popular Latvian performers as well as with military orchestras from other countries.
Aug 01
Latvian Radio Big Band, Dāvis Jurka, Direcetor; with Marshall Gilkes, Soloist
The Latvian Radio Big Band was founded in 1966 as the Television and Radio Variety Orchestra of the Latvian SSR. In 1992, it was renamed the Latvian Radio Orchestra of Jazz Music before ultimately becoming the Latvian Radio Big Band. The ensemble’s first conductor was composer Ringolds Ore, followed by Alnis Zaķis, who led the orchestra from 1968 to 1991. Other notable leaders included Raimonds Pauls and Gunārs Rozenbergs, with musicians such as Aleksandrs Smirnovs and Vitalijs Dolgovs also contributing to the ensemble’s artistic legacy.
In 1996, Latvia’s only professional jazz orchestra was disbanded. However, after a 16-year hiatus and with renewed enthusiasm for jazz in Latvia, the Latvian Radio Big Band was revived in 2012 through the efforts of Māris Briežkalns, Kārlis Vanags, and patron Maestro Raimonds Pauls, who continues to serve as artistic consultant.
Today, the ensemble is led by Artistic Director Kārlis Vanags and Executive Director Dāvis Jurka. Since its revival, the band has collaborated with leading international artists including Kurt Elling, Roberta Gambarini, Randy Brecker, James Morrison, Nils Landgren, and Donny McCaslin.
The Latvian Radio Big Band has performed at prestigious venues including the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., and Lincoln Center in New York. In 2023, the ensemble received Latvia’s Great Music Award for outstanding artistic achievement.