Iveta Apkalna Youtube
Mina Delahoussaye
Iveta Apkalna: The Queen of the Organ on YouTube
If you are a fan of organ music, you have probably heard of Iveta Apkalna. She is a Latvian organist and pianist who has been captivating audiences around the world with her virtuosic and expressive playing. She is also one of the most popular organists on YouTube, where she has millions of views and thousands of subscribers. But who is Iveta Apkalna and what makes her so special? Let's find out more about her life, career, and music.
Biography and Background
Iveta Apkalna was born in 1976 in Rēzekne, Latvia. She started playing the piano at the age of six and the organ at the age of 11. She studied both instruments at the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music, graduating with distinction in 1999. She then continued her studies at the London Guildhall School of Music and Drama and at the State University of Music and Performing Arts Stuttgart in Germany.
She has given concerts in many prestigious venues and festivals across Europe, North America, and Asia. She has also performed with some of the world's leading orchestras and conductors, such as the Berlin Philharmonic, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Claudio Abbado, Mariss Jansons, Kent Nagano, and Gustavo Dudamel.
She is known for her wide repertoire that ranges from Bach to contemporary composers. She also likes to explore new sounds and possibilities of the organ, often collaborating with other musicians and genres.
Awards and Achievements
Iveta Apkalna has won numerous prizes and accolades for her organ playing. Some of them are:
- The European Selection Round of the Royal Bank Calgary International Organ Competition in London in 2002
- The J.S.Bach prize at the World Competition of the Royal Bank Calgary International Organ Competition in Canada in 2002
- The first prize at the Mikael Tariverdiev Organ Competition in Kaliningrad, Russia in 2003
- The Great Latvian Music Award in 2003 and 2017
- The ECHO-Klassik award for Instrumentalist of the Year in 2005
- The Order of the Three Stars, the highest civilian order awarded for meritorious service to Latvia by the state president in 2018
She has also made several recordings for various labels, such as Berlin Classics, Oehms Classics, Pentatone, Sony, and ECM.
Best Performances on YouTube
Iveta Apkalna has a large fan base on YouTube, where she uploads videos of her live performances, album trailers, interviews, and more. Some of her most viewed and liked videos are:
- Iveta Apkalna - Elbphilharmonie Hamburg - Light & Dark (Album Trailer): This video introduces her first solo album recorded on the Klais organ at the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, featuring contemporary works that showcase the wide tonal spectrum of the instrument.
- Stage@Seven: J. S. Bach: Concerto A minor BWV 593 Iveta Apkalna: This video shows her playing Bach's concerto based on Vivaldi's violin concerto with a string ensemble at the hr-Sendesaal Frankfurt.
- Elbphilharmonie Sessions Iveta Apkalna Lux aeterna (Aivars Kalējs): This video shows her playing a beautiful and meditative piece by Latvian composer Aivars Kalējs at the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg.
- Iveta Apkalna - Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565 (J.S. Bach): This video captures her brilliant rendition of Bach's famous toccata and fugue at the Berliner Dom.
- Iveta Apkalna - The Ride of the Valkyries (R. Wagner): This video demonstrates her impressive skills and stamina as she plays Wagner's epic opera excerpt at the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg.
These videos are just a sample of her amazing talent and versatility as an organist. You can find more videos on her YouTube channel here.
Latest Album and Upcoming Projects
Iveta Apkalna's latest album, released in 2020, is called Light & Dark. It features works by contemporary composers such as Philip Glass, Arvo Pärt, Thierry Escaich, and Aivars Kalējs. The album is a musical journey that explores the contrasts and nuances of light and dark, both in sound and emotion. It is also a showcase of the Klais organ at the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, which is one of the largest and most modern organs in the world.
As for her upcoming projects, Iveta Apkalna has a busy schedule of concerts and tours planned for 2021 and 2022. She will perform in various countries, such as Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Austria, Poland, Latvia, Russia, Japan, and the USA. She will also collaborate with other musicians and artists, such as violinist Gidon Kremer, cellist Sol Gabetta, conductor Paavo Järvi, and painter Gerhard Richter. You can find more information about her upcoming events on her website here.
Conclusion
Iveta Apkalna is one of the most outstanding and influential organists of our time. She has won many awards and recognition for her musical excellence and innovation. She has also gained a large following on YouTube, where she shares her performances and passion for the organ. She is a true ambassador of organ music and culture, inspiring and delighting audiences around the world.
If you want to learn more about Iveta Apkalna and her music, you can visit her website here. You can also follow her on Facebook here and Instagram here. And don't forget to subscribe to her YouTube channel here to watch more of her amazing videos.
Thank you for reading this article. I hope you enjoyed it and learned something new. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. I would love to hear from you.
FAQs
Q: How old is Iveta Apkalna?
A: Iveta Apkalna is 47 years old as of 2021. She was born on February 27, 1976.
Q: What is the name of the organ at the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg?
A: The organ at the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg is called the Klais organ. It was built by the German organ builder Johannes Klais Orgelbau in 2017. It has 69 stops, 4 manuals, and a pedalboard. It is one of the largest organs in Europe.
Q: What is the difference between an organ and a piano?
A: An organ and a piano are both keyboard instruments, but they have different mechanisms and sounds. An organ produces sound by blowing air through pipes of different sizes and shapes. A piano produces sound by striking strings with hammers. An organ can sustain notes indefinitely by holding down the keys, while a piano can only sustain notes for a limited time by using pedals. An organ can also change its tone color by using different combinations of stops, while a piano has a more uniform tone color.
Q: Who are some of Iveta Apkalna's favorite composers?
A: Iveta Apkalna has a wide repertoire that includes works from different periods and styles. Some of her favorite composers are J.S.Bach, César Franck, Olivier Messiaen, Philip Glass, Arvo Pärt, and Aivars Kalējs. She also enjoys playing transcriptions of orchestral and operatic works by composers such as Vivaldi, Mozart, Wagner, and Tchaikovsky.
Q: How can I learn to play the organ?
A: If you want to learn to play the organ, you will need to have some basic knowledge of music theory, keyboard skills, and pedal technique. You will also need to find a suitable organ to practice on, either at a church, a school, or a private studio. You can also use a digital or electronic organ, which can simulate the sound and feel of a pipe organ. You will also benefit from having a good teacher who can guide you through the organ repertoire and technique. You can also watch online tutorials, videos, and masterclasses by organists such as Iveta Apkalna to learn from their tips and tricks.
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