Other events in Baltic States

he Latvian National Symphony Orchestra was honored for outstanding performances throughout the past year in the Grand Music Award 2019 ceremony on Tuesday, while the solo concert by organist Iveta Apkalna at Ventspils concert hall Latvija was awarded as the best concert of the year, informed LETA. 

Composers Maija Einfelde and Raimonds Pauls received teh awards for lifetime achievements. The awards to both composers were presented by Latvian President Egils Levits.

Composer Gundega Smite won the annual music award in the best new score category.

Imants Kalnins' opera Speleju, Dancoju (I Played, I Sang) at the Latvian National Opera, conducted by Martins Ozolins and staged by Laura Groza-Kibere, won the award in the performance of the year category.

Organist Aigars Reinis was awarded for outstanding performance in an ensemble, while Ainars Rubikis was awarded for outstanding interpretation.

Saxophonist Aigars Raumanis received the prize as the best young artist of the year.

The Grand Music Award is the highest honor in Latvian music, it was established in 1993 following an initiative by then Minister of Culture Raimonds Pauls.