The opening concert of Cello Cēsis Festival offers its listeners an opportunity to acquaint themselves with contemporary music written for the cello. The American cello player, member of the brilliant and internationally acclaimed avant-garde ensemble Bang on a Can All-Stars Ashley Bathgate, and the outstanding Latvian pianist Reinis Zariņš have architecturally constructed a programme highlighting modern, contemporary American music like a brightly-lit skyscraper against the New York sky ‒ cello music written in this age, brilliantly interpreted by young talents.

Ashley Bathgate is ‘a bright light on the new-music scene’ (The New York Times), ‘a phenomenally gifted cellist … [showcasing] bee-like inquisitiveness and ceaseless energy’ (Boston Music Intelligencer). As a performer, Bathgate bases her philosophy in a desire to create a dynamic energetic exchange with her audience. She is open to an undiscovered innovative world of sound that transcends the traditional voice of the cello. Captivated by Ashley Bathgate’s striking talent and intense performance, many American composers have dedicated countless new musical pieces to her.

Ashley’s partner on stage will be the London-based Latvian pianist Reinis Zariņš ‒ an outstanding interpreter, whose profound musical revelations and conceptually crafted programmes never leave the audience indifferent. Reinis Zariņš is a three-time Grand Music Award laureate in the Outstanding Interpretation category.

Ashley BATHGATE, cello/USA

Reinis ZARIŅŠ, piano

Programme: Ken Thomson, Restless; Reiko Fueting, Kaddish: The Art of Losing; Jack Perla, Persistence of the Blues; Martin Bresnick, Prayers Remain Forever; Amy Williams, Stop/Yield

Concert is supported by USA Embassy in Latvia.