On 25 January, Iveta Apkalna performed an all-Latvian organ concert at Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie. The programme included works by Jāzeps Vītols (1863–1948), Alfrēds Kalniņš (1879–1951), Lūcija Garūta (1902–1977), Maija Einfelde, and Aivars Kalējs as well as the world premiere of Linda Leimane’s Sirdsbalsis (2022), commissioned by the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, and two works composed for Apkalna: Pēteris Vasks’ Hymnus (2018) and Ēriks’ Fantasie (2007).
Apkalna has been the titular organist of the Elbphilharmonie since it’s opening in 2016. Counting 4,765 pipes, the organ in Elbphilharmonie’s Grand Hall was built by the renowed organ builders at Johannes Klais Orgelbau in Bonn, based on a concept by organ expert Manfred Schwartz.