On February 4, 2020, the Hanzas Perons concert hall in Riga hosted a remarkable evening of music. The event featured the Sinfonietta Rīga orchestra, under the baton of Normunds Šnē, and the globally celebrated multi-instrumentalist Pedro Eustache. The centerpiece of the evening was the world premiere of Nākotne mums seko (The Future Follows Us), an exciting new work by Latvian composer Platons Buravickis.
The first half of the concert offered an exploration of cultural and sonic diversity. Buravickis’s composition, written for piccolo, soprano, alto, and bass flutes alongside Armenian duduk and traditional Indian flutes, painted a vivid utopian vision of a world without borders, prejudice, or segregation. Divided into distinct phases, the piece integrated instruments from various global traditions, showcasing a hopeful narrative of unity and empathy. Sinfonietta Rīga, a Grammy Award laureate ensemble and four-time recipient of the Latvian Great Music Award, brought Buravickis’s vision to life alongside Eustache’s virtuosic performance.
Pedro Eustache, a Venezuelan-born flutist and multi-instrumentalist currently based in California, brought a wealth of experience and artistry to the stage. With a career spanning over 40 years and collaborations with luminaries such as Hans Zimmer, Paul McCartney, Gustavo Dudamel, and Yanni, Eustache has mastered more than 600 instruments, many of his own design. His work has resonated through iconic film scores, including The Dark Knight, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, and Inception. Known for blending European classical traditions with jazz, world, and electronic music, Eustache’s performance in Riga was a debut for Latvian audiences.
The second half of the evening, titled Petros GlobalTronix Project, shifted gears to a bold improvisational performance. Eustache, alongside composer Platons Buravickis and Latvian electronic artist Multilux (Emīls Dreiblats), engaged in a spontaneous interplay of acoustic and electronic soundscapes. Combining traditional wind instruments with modular and analog synthesizers, the trio created an immersive experience that pushed the boundaries of contemporary music. This rare fusion of techno-inspired improvisation and free-form acoustic experimentation underscored Latvia’s growing presence in innovative music-making.
The concert was a testament to Artes Liberales' dedication to fostering the cultural development of society by promoting electronic music and multidisciplinary art. By bridging local creativity with global talent, the organization continues to commission innovative projects and host events that inspire artistic expression and cultural dialogue.