SKATPUNKTS — Final Artistic Project of My Doctoral Studies
On 14 May 2026, at the Aula of the Art Academy of Latvia, I presented SKATPUNKTS — the final artistic project of my professional doctoral studies at the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music.
The concert brought together ten world premieres by Latvian composers, written especially for this project and for my work as a saxophonist. The programme featured new works by Platons Buravickis, Andris Dzenītis, Diāna Gritāne, Ēriks Miezis, Henrijs Poikāns, Madara Pētersone, Edgars Raginskis, Agita Reķe, Kārlis Rērihs and Armands Skuķis.
For me, SKATPUNKTS was not only a concert, but also a research process — a creative laboratory exploring the relationship between composer and performer in contemporary music. Each work was developed through dialogue, exchange of ideas, practical experimentation and shared interpretative searching. The project examined how a performer can influence the creation of a new composition, and how collaboration can open new artistic, technical and sonic possibilities for the saxophone.
The programme presented a wide spectrum of approaches to the instrument: solo works for soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones, pieces with live electronics, delay, sound recording, voice, and even a work combining saxophone and drum set performed by one musician. Together, these compositions formed a multifaceted portrait of the saxophone as an instrument of breath, gesture, resonance, rhythm, theatricality and experimentation.
The title SKATPUNKTS — “point of view” — reflects the central idea of the project. Each composer approached the saxophone from a different artistic perspective, while I, as performer, became both interpreter and collaborator. The concert therefore marked not only the creation of new Latvian repertoire, but also the documentation of different models of artistic interaction between composer and performer.
The project was realised with sound engineer Guntars Poplavskis, lighting artist Armands Āriņš, and visual identity designer Sanda Paukšte. I am grateful to all composers, collaborators and institutions who supported this work, including the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music, the Art Academy of Latvia, Latvian Radio 3 Klasika and the State Culture Capital Foundation.
Programme
Edgars Raginskis — Breathe. You Are.
Agita Reķe — Latency of Air
Andris Dzenītis — Spārni
Henrijs Poikāns — Coming and Going
Diāna Gritāne — O
Kārlis Rērihs — S*kss. Ādolfs Sakss.
Ēriks Miezis — Šifrs
Armands Skuķis — Glēsis
Madara Pētersone — Etude
Platons Buravickis — Riteņbrauciens