World’s finest musicians coming to Latvia’s sea resort of Jurmala for the summer

The anticipated concerts of the Artissimo Festival, organised by the Latvian based Herman Braun Foundation, have become a fixture of the Latvian summer music scene. The festival this year will again host an array of internationally acclaimed musicians, who will descend on the Latvian sea resort of Jurmala from June 5 through July 8.
One of the festival’s highlights will include the appearance of the Latvian-born cellist, Mischa Maisky, who opens this year’s festival with the Festival Symphony Orchestra, and Elina Buksa (violin).

Maisky has made over 50 recording during the last 25 years with Deutsche Grammophon.
“Many of these recordings feature Mischa performing with the world’s great orchestras, the Vienna Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic, London Symphony Orchestra, Israel Philharmonic, Orchestre de Paris,” said Inna Davidova, the director of the Herman Braun Foundation.

Maisky holds the title of being the only cellist in the world to have studied with two of the world’s most iconic cellists, Mstislav Rostropovich and Gregor Piatigorsky.
“I have heard that Rostropovich lauded Maisky’s playing, (saying) that it combined poetry and exquisite delicacy with great temperament and brilliant technique,” said Davidova.

Other festival highlights include performances of The Latin Jazz Afterparty, a joint double performance of The Real Group from Sweden, and Finland’s Rajaton, as well as MANU DIBANGO & Soul Makossa Gang, and Estonia’s leading chamber orchestra, Glasperlenspiel Sinfonietta, conducted by Andres Mustonen.
Jurmala will indeed be in for a musical treat, as The Real Group, regarded as one of the leading forces in the world of vocal music today, take centre stage.

The combination of perfection, personal touch, and a wide repertoire has made it possible for the group to collaborate with symphony orchestras, jazz groups, pop bands, and international artists.
“I am delighted that the The Real Group features the Latvian singer Janis Strazdins, who is one of the group’s members,” said Davidova.

The Finnish word Rajaton translates as “boundless” — a word which has accurately described the way this six-voice a cappella ensemble approaches music.
“Rajaton exposes concert audiences to the kind of diversity of repertoire, singing style, and stage presentation that has made them a phenomenon on the world stage,” said Davidova.

Another festival highlight is the appearance of MANU DIBANGO & Soul Makossa Gang. Multi-instrumentalist, composer, and bandleader, Manu Dibango is a Cameroon-born Paris resident who has developed a musical style fusing jazz, funk, and traditional Cameroonian music.
Dibango is regarded as an undisputed music legend for lovers of world music to jazz, funk, and a host of other music styles he has explored during his career.

“He has the most instantly recognisable saxophone sounds in the music business,” said Davidova.
“From the legendary Soul Makossa Gang, we can look forward to an evening of pop, afro funk, soul, hip-hop, electro rock, and jazz.”
The Herman Braun Foundation was established in 1998 in memory of the renowned Latvian pianist and concertmaster Hermanis Braun. The foundation’s cultural activities have become an essential part of Latvia’s musical life.
Tickets for the Artissimo Festival are available at www.hbf.lv and www.bilesuserviss.lv

ARTISSIMO FESTIVAL

June 5

ARTISSIMO Concert Marathon
Avanti, ARTISSIMO!
14:00 @ Dzintari Small Hall
Young musicians welcome the ARTISSIMO festival

June 5
The Grand Opening of the Festival. 17:00 @ Dzintari Concert Hall. Festival Symphony Orchestra, soloists Mischa Maisky (cello), Elina Buksa (violin), and others

June 5
The Latin Jazz Afterparty
20:00 @ Dzintari Concert Hall

June 6
The Real Group (Sweden) & Rajaton (Finland)
19:00 @ Dzintari Concert Hall. Program: LEVELELEVEN

June 7
HIS MAJESTY ENSEMBLE
18:00 @ Dzintari Chamber Hall. Shostakovich – 110! Inga Kalna (soprano), Irina Dolzhenko (mezzosoprano), Leonid Bomshtein (tenor), Elina Buksha (violin), Ramon Jaffe (cello), Inna Davidova (piano), Andrey Osokin (piano)

June 7
MANU DIBANGO & Soul Makossa Gang
20:00 @ Dzintari Concert Hall

July 8
MUSIC FOR THE SOUL
19:00 @ Dubulti, Ev.Lut. Church (Baznicas iela 13)
Glasperlenspiel Sinfonietta (Estonia). Conductor Andres Mustonen. Vivaldi, Haydn, Mozart

Win TWO FREE TICKETS to the Artissimo Festival, which will be held in the Latvian, sea resort of Jurmala.

Send your reply to the following question for the draw to [email protected]  

In which country was the world famous cellist, Mischa Maisky, born?