Maestro Edgars Račevskis has founded and conducted several choirs of high artistic value in Latvia, as well as initiated and maintained cultural and historical events. Created and conducted the Riga Polytechnic Institute men’s choir “Gaudeamus”, Tukums district teachers’ choir “Vanema”, Riga Culture and Art Center “Small Guild” mixed choir “Sonore”, Riga Latvian Society House men’s choir. Since 1970, as a multiple chief conductor, he has made an invaluable contribution to maintaining the tradition of the General Latvian Song and Dance Festival, which is always important for the people’s consciousness.
The song “There will be a song forever” with the poetry of Imants Ziedonis plays an important role in the career of the multiple Song Festival choir conductor Edgars Račevskis. It was made in the centenary of the Song Festival in 1973 as a gift from Valters Kaminsks to the men’s choir “Gaudeamus” and conductor Edgars Račevskis. And so this song is played every year at the General Latvian Song Festival.
“I’m glad it’s one of the new-age songs that has stood the test of time and has remained on the Song Festival program since 1973. I was the first to perform it, and I also conducted it at the Song Festival on several occasions.
The biggest achievement – in 2014, was the World Choir Olympiad, the men’s choirs were already small, and the organizers had arranged that all the men of the mixed choir also learned the song. And I traveled all over Latvia and taught them what it takes to be able to participate well. And the recording is super good, “said conductor Edgars Račevskis.
“There will be a song forever” – this song inspired thousands of choral singers under the direction of the conductor and maestro Edgar Rachevsky. According to the conductor, the time of the pandemic has certainly affected the Song Festival movement, but he was hopeful:
“Now is the time of great silence. The choir is breathing, relaxing. I have always been an optimist, and I hope that their love of music and its spark of coming together will not go out. I have been singing together all the time five years is not enough.
I have experienced all the time when for 44 years I was the chief conductor of Alūksne district, for 10 years in Tukums, there were several events every year. In this way, singing is promoted, strengthened and developed, and the repertoire can be tested. I emphasize an ambitious repertoire with ambitious music. “
One thing is the repertoire, but it is just as important to have people – choirs who fill the new Mežaparks stage. Not only as a result of the pandemic, but also before it, the ranks of men’s choirs became less and less frequent. However, conductor Edgars Račevskis was optimistic: “When I call my friends, my singers and invite them, they respond and come. We are preparing a program or a concert. But I have some concerns about what will happen. The first event will be June 4 – there will be A gathering of men’s choirs in Tukums, which will show you how many men are left. referred to the whole of Latvia. “
Congratulations, anniversary! Conductor Edgars Račevskis
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Not only the song “There will be a song forever” in the career of the legendary Edgars Račevskis, but also the prayer of Andrejs Eglītis and Lūcija Garūta “Our Father in Heaven”. In 1990, very decisive events took place not only in the history of Latvia, but also in the history of the Song Festival, and “Our Father in Heaven” conducted by Edgars Račevskis played an important role in this festival.
“It was awfully deep, awfully unforgettable.
Already with the way I went to the meeting where we divided the whole program. Everyone got together, the elders ahead – Wigner, Mednis, Smoke. And when it was my turn, I could express my wish. I really wanted “Our Father in Heaven,” no one wanted it. And no one took it. And, thank God, I succeeded. That’s how I got to the point when I was able to conduct this song in 1990. At that time, all the singers sang it with tears in their eyes, “Rachevsky shared his memories.
In recent years, the conductor has lived with an optimistic outlook on life, as well as full of energy, because, in his opinion, dissatisfaction can not go far – you have to do, move, create. Edgar Rachevsky was very pleased with his collection of sheet music, which has been published in four books – for mixed choirs, men’s choir, women’s choir, children’s choir, as well as solo songs. But the maestro valued his loved ones the most:
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“I am very happy with the family I have created.
Thanks to my daughter Ilze Ozolina, I managed to have my most important concert on August 29, when my 85th anniversary concert took place at Akuratera’s house, which was mainly prepared by Ilze with her friends, opera soloists. My friends – the men’s choir – also took part. My lady Dzidra, with whom she has lived together for more than 60 years, also plays a big role. ”
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