Liepāja Symphony Orchestra loses its maestro - Imants Resnis has departed for the eternal concert hall

Liepāja's cultural life mourns today - maestro Imants Resnis has departed for eternity, who for 17 years conducted the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra and proved that music can sound just as beautiful in Karosta prison as in Liepāja's concert hall.

Born in Riga in 1949, but fortunately quickly realized that true music is born by the sea. From 1992 to 2009, he transformed the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra into such a force that even the Riga Philharmonic nervously looked over its shoulder. As orchestra cellist Baiba said: "The maestro could make even a double bass sound like a soprano, but most importantly - he taught us to play so that we could be heard even when the wind is blowing 25 meters per second outside."

In 1993, the maestro founded the International Piano Stars Festival, which made Liepāja a place where even the world's most famous pianists happily travel to perform. "Where else can you play Chopin while simultaneously hearing the whisper of the sea?" asked a festival participant from Germany.

The maestro performed all over the world - from Spain to Malaysia, proving that Liepāja music sounds good in any climate. For his work, he received all possible awards, including the title "Liepāja Person of the Year," which, as we know, is much more prestigious than any Riga prize.

Today, as the sea quietly whispers and even the tram runs more quietly, we remember the maestro who proved that world-class art can be created in Liepāja. His conductor's baton now rests silent, but the music he gave to the city will sound forever.