On February 18, at the opening concert of the concert series “Winter Chamber Music” in the Riga Cathedral Chapter Hall, we will get to know the historical improvisation in the program L`improvisationin which together with our multi-instrumentalist Ieva Niemani and an organist Ilzi Reini An outstanding Dutch oboist and recorder will take part in Riga Roberts of Brē (Robert de Bree). The concert will feature French baroque music, practically unheard in Latvia – Juan Batista Pla (Jose Baptist Plan), Jean Marie Leclair (Jean Marie Leclair), Jacques Martin Otetier (Jacque Martin Hotetterre) and improvisations. About the art of improvisation in the works of ancient authors and also in the opus of the musicians themselves – in conversation with Ieva Niemans and Roberta de Bree.

The idea of ​​the name of the concert was borrowed from the 18th century. by the French composer Marina Marais (Marine Swamp) piece for viola from leg, where the composer musically described his own kidney stone extraction surgery. This is also how the improvisations of the concert participants on medical topics were created – improvisations about the Covid-19 “chord” and the feelings that overwhelm a musician when it is necessary to take a PCR test during a pandemic in order to participate in a concert will be played.

The intrigue of the concert – the audience will also be able to participate in an improvisational performance.

Roberts of Brē is a Dutch oboist and recorder who specializes in period instruments, and especially historical improvisation. He teaches historical improvisation at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague, has conducted master classes in Texas, Mexico City, Budapest, Vienna, Stuttgart, Katowice and now also in Riga. Robert’s debut as a soloist took place in 2010 at the Amsterdam Concertgebouw. As a soloist, he has performed with groups such as Holland Baroque, Luthers Bach Ensemble, Brecon Baroque and his own collective – Symphonie Atlantique. As an orchestra musician, he has performed with such well-known early music interpreters as English Baroque Soloists, Academy of Ancient Music, Ensemble Pygmalion, Ensemble L’Arpeggiata, Concerto Köln, etc. With his early music ensemble The Scroll Ensemble, he plays improvised concerts, practicing improvisation in the ensemble from the Middle Ages to Beethoven and even later.