Uģis Prauliņš
Encyclopedia
Uģis Prauliņš is a Latvian composer whose choral work Missa Rigensis (Riga Mass) was recorded by the Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge
, the Riga Cathedral Boys Choir and has been performed in several locations around the world, amongst those Canada, France, England.
from 1963–74. Later, he studied conducting and pedagogy at the Latvian Academy of Music
from 1977–82, where he also studied composition with Jānis Ivanovs
in 1982–83 and Ģederts Ramans from 1984–89 and piano with Valda Kalnina from 1977–82 and 1984–89.
As a keyboardist, he was active as a rock musician in the progressive rock
group Salve in the 1970s and in the folk-/progressive-rock group Vecās mājas in the 1980s.
musicians in 1998. It contains a seasonal cycle of mostly traditional song
s and instrumental pieces with an emphasis on the natural progression of the year.
Missa Rigensis (2002) was written for and first recorded by the Riga Cathedral Boys Choir, conducted by Mārtiņš Klišāns. In 2008 conductor Stephen Layton
recorded Missa Rigensis with the Choir of Trinity College of Cambridge. The recordings were released on CD titled "Baltic Exchange" on the Hyperion Records
label. Prauliņš stated that his desire in composing the piece was "to retain attention by the singers' voices alone."
His Christmas composition, "Latvian Solstice in the New World", was described as a song that would "disturb the solitude so people can feel real joy" in a review by Minnesota Public Radio
.
Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge
The Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge is a mixed choir whose primary function is to sing choral services in the Tudor chapel of Trinity College, Cambridge...
, the Riga Cathedral Boys Choir and has been performed in several locations around the world, amongst those Canada, France, England.
Background
Uģis Prauliņš was born in Riga and studied at the Emīls Dārziņš Music SchoolEmils Darzins Music School
The Emils Darzins Music School is the junior music conservatory in Latvia, named after Emīls Dārziņš. The senior school is the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music , formerly Riga Conservatory,....
from 1963–74. Later, he studied conducting and pedagogy at the Latvian Academy of Music
Latvian Academy of Music
The Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music , formerly Riga Conservatory, is the major higher learning music institution in Latvia. The junior institute is the Emils Darzins Music School.-History:...
from 1977–82, where he also studied composition with Jānis Ivanovs
Janis Ivanovs
Jānis Ivanovs was a Soviet Latvian classical music composer.In 1931, he graduated from the Latvian State Conservatory in Riga. In 1944, he joined the conservatory's faculty, becoming a full professor in 1955. He is regarded as being the most distinguished Latvian symphonist...
in 1982–83 and Ģederts Ramans from 1984–89 and piano with Valda Kalnina from 1977–82 and 1984–89.
As a keyboardist, he was active as a rock musician in the progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
group Salve in the 1970s and in the folk-/progressive-rock group Vecās mājas in the 1980s.
Selected works
His album Paganu Gadagramata (Pagan Yearbook), was recorded with the band Ilgi with guest appearances by Latvian folkFolk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
musicians in 1998. It contains a seasonal cycle of mostly traditional song
Song
In music, a song is a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing.A song may be accompanied by musical instruments, or it may be unaccompanied, as in the case of a cappella songs...
s and instrumental pieces with an emphasis on the natural progression of the year.
Missa Rigensis (2002) was written for and first recorded by the Riga Cathedral Boys Choir, conducted by Mārtiņš Klišāns. In 2008 conductor Stephen Layton
Stephen Layton
Stephen Layton is an English conductor.Layton was raised in Derby, where his father was a church organist. Layton learned the piano as a youth. He was a chorister at Winchester Cathedral, and subsequently won scholarships to Eton College and then King's College, Cambridge as an organ...
recorded Missa Rigensis with the Choir of Trinity College of Cambridge. The recordings were released on CD titled "Baltic Exchange" on the Hyperion Records
Hyperion Records
Hyperion Records is an independent British classical record label.-History:The company was named after Hyperion, one of the Titans of Greek mythology. It was founded by George Edward Perry, widely known as "Ted", in 1980. Early LP releases included rarely recorded 20th century British music by...
label. Prauliņš stated that his desire in composing the piece was "to retain attention by the singers' voices alone."
His Christmas composition, "Latvian Solstice in the New World", was described as a song that would "disturb the solitude so people can feel real joy" in a review by Minnesota Public Radio
Minnesota Public Radio
Minnesota Public Radio , is the flagship National Public Radio member network for the state of Minnesota. With its three services, News & Information, Classical Music and The Current, MPR operates a 42-station regional radio network in the upper Midwest serving over 8 million people...
.
External links
- Reviews: Emotion, history combine in album Odi at Amo
- Uģis Prauliņš at Apollo (Latvian)