VA - Latvian Radio Archive: Andris Dzenītis (2021)

Andris Dzenitis is one of the most talented, creative and internationally recognised Latvian composers of his generation. Born in Riga (23.01.1978), Latvia, composer Andris Dzenitis studied at the Emîls Darzins Music School (composition with Peteris Vasks 1993-96) in Riga. His Sonata for Violin and Piano Pamestie (Deserted) was awarded the chamber music prize (1994) by the Latvian Composers’ Union when he was only 16. As a Herder Scholarship winner he studied composition at the Vienna School of Music and Drama with Kurt Schwertsik (Herder scholarship)(1996-97). Dzenîtis continued his studies at the Latvian State Academy of Music with Peteris Plakidis (1997-99) and then at the Lithuanian Music Academy with Osvaldas Balakauskas (1999-2003) where he also qualified for his Master’s degree. He has taken part in young composers’ seminars at Ivanov (Russia, 1995), Boswil (Switzerland, 1996), and attended mastercourses at Stockholm with Magnus Lindberg, Pär Lindgren and Bent Sorensen in 2002.

His music has been performed in Latvia and abroad: at the Warsaw Autumn Festival (1997, 2013), the Gaida Festival in Vilnius (1998, 2002), at Spelplan Stockholm (2002), Maerzmusik Berlin (2003), Nyyd in Tallinn (2003), Arena in Riga (2002-2012), Bergen music festival (2005), Klangspuren Schwaz (2005), Time of music, Viitasari (2006), ISCM World Music Days (Hong Kong 2007), Musica Viva (2012) and elsewhere by significant latvian and international ensembles and musical formations like Leipzig Gewandhaus and Boston symphony orchestras, conducted by Andris Nelsons, Latvian radio choir, Riga chamber players, Sinfonietta Riga, Gidon Kremer and Kremerata Baltica, Ensemble Modern under direction of Peter Eotvos, Anu Tali and Klemens Heil, wind quintet Carion, Kroumata percusion ensemble Stockholm, Paragon esnemble Glasgow, Reinbert Evers or Pierrot Lunaire Ensemble Wien, Caput (Iceland), Deutsche Radio Philharmonie Saarbruecken - Kaiserlautern, Radio symphony orchestra Berlin, Belgian National symphony orchestra, Orquesta philharmonica de Gran Canaria and Netherlands Radio symphonic orchestra under Karel Mark Chichon.

Dzenitis is active as a music critic and journalist. As a sound artist coloborated with number of latvian visual atrists among them Olegs Klimovics and Gints Gabrans which instalation Parahypnotic participated in international bienale for arts in Venice (2007). He has presented lectures at the London Guildhall School of Music (2001) and worked as a lecturer at the Latvian Academy of Culture (2002 - 2004), working now as a teacher of compostion and theoretical disciplines at Jazeps Medins Riga music school and other numerous schools in Latvia. He was the organizer and director of the biannual Young Composers’ mastercourses at Dundaga (2002 - 2006), Mazsalaca (2008, 2010, 2014) and Cesis (2012) in Latvia.

Andris Dzenitis is awarded Eternity prize by latvian copyright agency by most played contemporary pieces (2003 and 2014). His music for movies Workshop in the countryside, Exiled was nominated for national cinematography prize Lielais Kristaps for best music (2004 and 2016) and was awarded the same prize in 2017 for music of movie Firstborn. Seven Madrigals by E.E.Cummings for mezzo-soprano and six instruments is awarded 1.prize in International Jurgenson competition for young composers, Moscow (2005). Dzenitis was also stipendiar of Latvian Ministry of Culture (2004) and was twice awarded Great music prize - highest musical award in Latvia for his Fides.Spes.Caritas (2006) and concerto for saxophone and orchestra E(GO) (2014) and eight (!) times nominated for the same prize in the years 2008 (two pieces), 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2017. Postludium. Ice for symphony orchestra awarded musical piece of the year by latvian radio 3 classics in 2009 and received award in culture by latvian national newspaper Diena (2010). Saxophone concerto E(GO) awarded title of musical piece of the year by latvian radio 3 classics in 2014.

Since year 2004 Andris Dzenitis is member of the board of Latvian composer's union. Dzenitis is performing in different electronic projects with his electronic music group Woodpecker project, founded back in 2006.