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Archive

Musicologist among winners of Latvian Grand Music Award

Andris Straumanis

March 06, 2008

Musicologist, composer, writer and teacher Oļģerts Grāvītis, whose professional career in music began in 1948, is among 2007 laureates of the Latvian Grand Music Award. The award winners were announced March 5 in Rīga.

Grāvītis, who for many years worked at the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music (Jāzepa Vītola Latvijas Mūzikas akadēmija), was honored for his lifetime achievements.

The Latvian Grand Music Award was created in 1993 by the Ministry of Culture. It is considered the country’s most important music award.

A total of 25 nominations were received for the 2007 award. Besides Grāvītis, winners included:

• Debut of the year: Conductor Andris Poga, for a May 10, 2007, concert with the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra showcasing Latvia’s new talent.
• New work of the year: Juris Karlsons for his symphony “Vakarblāzma.”
• Individual performance: Cellist Kristīne Blaumane for the concerts “Kristīnes Blaumanes benefice” and for a concert with the ASCH Trio.
• Concert of the year: The Dec. 12 “Nakts lūgšana” concert in the Dome Church in Rīga, featuring the Latvian Radio Choir, choir director Sigvards Kļava and the vocal ensemble Cosmos.
• Performance of the year: The Latvian National Opera’s performance of composer Ēriks Ešenvalds’ “Augļu koks ir Jāzeps.” Musical director of the performance was Māris Sirmais, director was Gatis Šmits, scenic designer was Rūdolfs Bekičs and costume designer was Kristiāna Elizabete fon Zelcama.
• Outstanding and varied concert program: The State Chamber Orchestra Sinfonietta Rīga.
• Outstanding work in an ensemble: Ieva Ezeriete, a soprano in the Latvian Radio Choir, for her solo interpretation of Santa Ratniece’s opus “Sirds bezdelīgas.”

Each winner receives a silver statuette and LVL 1,000.

Andris Straumanis is editor of Latvians Online.