10.03.-30.03.2012

Festival focuses on innovations introducing audience to the new music of different genres written by Latvian composers of different generations, as well as on continuity of traditions. This year the Latvian New Music Days are celebrated in Riga, Ķekava and Ventspils, with the world premiere of music from Gundaris Pone's ballet Il mio paradiso, compositions by Romualds Grīnblats, as well as string quartet performances and children's music on the programme.

Gundaris Pone (1932 –1994) is one of the most outstanding Latvian contemporary music composers. He served as a professor at the State University College at New Paltz, New York, and created a lot of his compositions in Venice.

On March 30, the 2012 New Music Days will see the world premiere of his opus/ballet Il mio paradiso dedicated to Latvian poet Aleksandrs Čaks and Riga boulevards. Performing will be the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra with Atvars Lakstīgala at the helm.

Romualds Grīnblats (1930-1995) was a representative Latvian modernist and theatre music composer. His Fifth Symphony, performed by JVLMA student Eva Yevstigneieva, Sinfonietta Rīga and conductor Normunds Šnē, will life the curtain of the festival on March 10.

On March 22, the festival will present a special concert just for a sting quartet with Romualds Kalsons and Selga Mence's new compositions, Andris Dzenītis' Trataka. Point noir and Mārtiņš Viļums' Second String Quartet on the bill.

During the New Music Days the Swiss contemporay music duo UMS’N JIP will give several concerts in Riga, Ķekava and Ventspils. The ensemble works on both new musical and scenical settings for voice, recorders and electronics reflecting live vs. digital performance as well as European vs. non-European music.

Festival concerts are given by the best Latvian musicians and artists, including Sinfonietta Rīga State Chamber Orchestra, Latvian National Symphony Orchestra etc.