Riga, November 24, LETA. On Wednesday afternoon, the popular composer Mārtiņš Brauns, the author of the music “Sun, Thunder, Daugava”, passed away at the age of 70, and producer Jānis Kļaviņš informed LETA.
Brown was born in Riga on September 17, 1951. He studied at the Emils Darzins Music High School in the piano class, choir and choral conducting classes, and at the Department of Music Theory, where he also studied composition with Gederts Ramans. In 1970, Brown began studying at the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian State Conservatory in the composition class of Ādolfs Skulte, graduating in 1975 with a qualification of composer and teacher of music theory.
The legendary composer became known to the general public as a member and leader of various rock music ensembles and groups, but the most productive years of his work were related to the group “Sīpoli”.
The composer has been the head of the music department of the Latvian National Theater, the artistic director of the chamber choir “Sindi Bird Garden”.
Brown has composed music for theater performances and films, his works are performed at the General Latvian Song and Dance Festival, but his composition “Sun, Thunder, Daugava” has received special recognition far beyond the borders of Latvia.
Brown has been a member of the Latvian Cinematographers ‘Union and the Composers’ Union, has received the Grand Kristaps Award seven times, and has been recognized as the best theater composer several times. In 2001, he received an award from the Ministry of Culture for his outstanding creative contribution to the enrichment of Latvian culture.
Brown has also received the “Copyright Infinity Award 2017”. On May 3, 2018, Brown received the Order of the Three Stars of the fourth class for “Merit in Culture and Outstanding, Versatile Creative Contribution to Latvian Music”. On February 12, 2019, the composer received the Music Record of the Year Award “Golden Microphone” for his lifelong contribution to the development of Latvian music.
–
