Upcoming Performances & Anniversaries
Peteris Vasks
born: 04/16/1946
nationality: Latvia
Upcoming:
Dona nobis pacem
08/30/2008 | Haus der Berliner Festspiele - Berlin - Germany
Musica dolorosa
Conductor: Andrey Boreyko
09/05/2008 | Tonhalle - Düsseldorf - Germany
Chronology
1946
Born in Aizpute(Latvia) on 16 April as son of a Baptist priest
1953
Attended the school in Aizpute
1954
First piano and violin lessons at the local music school; first compositions
1959
Studied double-bass at the Em. Darzina music school in Riga
1963
Played double-bass at the Latvian National Opera in Riga
1964
Studied double-bass at the Lithuanian Academy of Music in Vilna with Professor Sereika; got to know music of the Polish avant-garde
1966
Played double-bass in the Lithuanian Philharmonic Orchestra
1969
Played double-bass in the Latvian Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra
1970
Military service in the Soviet Army
1971
Married with Vija Bekere
Birth of son Matiss
Birth of son Matiss
1971
Played double-bass in the Latvian Radio Symphony Orchestra in Riga
1972
Birth of daughter Laura
1973
Studied composition with Valentin Utkin at the Latvian Music Academy in Riga
1977
"Music for Fleeting Birds" for wind quintet; "1st String Quartet"; "In memoriam" for two pianos
Birth of daughter Madara
Birth of daughter Madara
1978
"Book" for solo violincello; "Concerto vocale" for mixed choir
1979
"Cantabile" for strings
Birth of daughter Gundega
Birth of daughter Gundega
1982
"Message" for chamber orchestra; "In Memory of a Friend" for wind quintet
Birth of son Paulis
Birth of son Paulis
1983
"Musica Dolorosa" for strings
1984
"2nd String Quartet"
1985
Music teacher in Zvejniekciems and Salacgriva
1985
"Episodi e canto perpetuo" for piano trio
1986
"Lauda"
1988
"Musica seria" for organ; music teacher in Jelgava
1989
Taught composition at the Em. Darzina music school in Riga
first trip to Western Europe (Germany, Schweden)
first trip to Western Europe (Germany, Schweden)
1990
"Concerto for English horn and small orchestra"
Jana Ivanova Prize
Jana Ivanova Prize
1991
Barricades in Riga; Latvia reestablished its independence
Symphony "Voices", "Te Deum" for organ
Symphony "Voices", "Te Deum" for organ
1992
"Fantasia - Landscape of the Burnt-out Earth" for piano
1993
"Litene" for mixed choir
Great Latvian Music Award for "Litene"
Great Latvian Music Award for "Litene"
1994
"Concerto for cello and orchestra"
Honorary member of the Latvian Academy of Sciences
Honorary member of the Latvian Academy of Sciences
1995
"Three Poems by Czeslaw Milosz"
1996
"3rd String Quartet"
Herder Prize of the Alfred Toepfer Foundation F.S.V. Hamburg
Baltic Ensemble Prize for the Cello Concert
Herder Prize of the Alfred Toepfer Foundation F.S.V. Hamburg
Baltic Ensemble Prize for the Cello Concert
1997
"Concerto for violin and string orchestra 'Distant Light' "
1998
Great Latvian Music Award for "Concerto for violin and string orchestra ' Distant Light' "
1999
"2nd Symphony"
2000
"4th String Quartet", "Missa" for mixed choir
Great Latvian Music Award for "2nd Symphony"
Great Latvian Music Award for "2nd Symphony"
2001
"Quartet" for violin, viola, violoncello and piano; "Viatore" for string orchestra
Member of the Royal Swedish Music Academy
Member of the Royal Swedish Music Academy
2002
"Musica appassionata" for string orchestra; "Plainscapes" for mixed choir, violin and violoncello
Senator of Honor of the Latvian Academy of Culture Riga
Senator of Honor of the Latvian Academy of Culture Riga
2003
"Bass trip" for double bass
2004
"5th String Quartet"
2005
"Canto di forza" for 12 violoncello players; "3rd Symphony"
