| Biography | Iveta Apkalna is a Latvian pianist and organist. She studied piano and organ at the Jazeps Vitols Latvian Academy of Music, graduating in both instruments with distinction in 1999. In 1999/2000 she continued piano studies at London Guildhall School of Music and Drama. In 2003 she completed a three-year-long study in the organ soloist class of Prof. Dr. Ludger Lohmann at the State University of Music and Performing Arts Stuttgart, Germany.
She has given concerts in the biggest and most famous churches and cathedrals of Europe and North America, taken part in the leading organ festivals and received numerous prizes in organ competitions. She regularly performs organ recitals at the Riga Cathedral. Her repertoire consists of organ music from J.S.Bach to contemporary composers thereby bringing it beyond the borders of church walls. In 1993 she was the official organist in service at Aglona basilica (Latvia) during the visit of Pope John Paul II. Since its opening in 2016, she has served as the principal organist of the Elbphilharmonie. |