Violinist Roberts Balanas to Perform in Riga on the 30th Floor of Zunda Towers

Roberts Balanas, an internationally recognised Latvian violinist, will perform in Riga on 16 December at 8 p.m. on the 30th floor of the Zunda Towers office complex. Tickets are available at www.aula.lv.

The audience will hear works inspired by medieval music, the musician's own compositions and fresh interpretations of songs by the bands Radiohead and Coldplay. The programme is characterised by virtuosity, improvisational freedom and emotional intensity.

Appearances across Europe

This year Balanas has played at several major European venues, including the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the Palau de la Música Catalana in Barcelona and LSO St Luke’s in London. He has also worked with Staatsorchester Kassel in Germany, Jove Orquestra Simfònica de Barcelona in Spain and the Fidelio Orchestra in the United Kingdom.

His original arrangements for solo violin have gathered millions of views on social media. His playing has been praised by Elton John and Jacob Collier, as well as members of Pink Floyd and Vulfpeck.

Education and career

Balanas studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he received the Principal's Prize and the academy's 200th anniversary scholarship. At just 16 he made his debut at London's Royal Festival Hall and Wigmore Hall. In 2022 he was named BBC Radio 1's official violinist, and he regularly appears on Classic FM, BBC Radio 3 and Scala Radio.

Charity masterclasses

In December, Roberts will host the annual Christmas charity masterclasses for young musicians at the cultural space Ola Foundation, together with his sisters: violinist Kristīne Balanas and cellist and conductor Margarita Balanas. The classes are meant to share professional experience and support the next generation of musicians.