Receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grand Music Awards ceremony, Maestro Imants Resnis joined the Liepaja Symphony Orchestra, conducting Hector Berlioz’s “Hungarian March”.
Photo: Karīna Miezāja
Aija Kaukule, “Latvijas Avīze”, JSC “Latvijas Mediji”
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On Tuesday, the Latvian National Opera hosted the Grand Music Prize 2021, which announced the winners in eight categories, presenting the prizes for lifetime contributions to conductor Imants Resnis and opera singer Samson Izjumov.
With the word and thought of Ukraine in every name and sound – from the introduction to the Ukrainian national anthem to the “Melody” by the Ukrainian composer Miroslav Skorika (1938–2020) – the emotional charge was The recipients of the awards did not hide during the ceremony of Latvijas Avīze.
Composer of the Year Jēkabs Jančevskis (from left) and conductor of the Concert of the Year – concert program “Amao Omi” / “Nonsense War” – Jurģis Cābulis.
Photo: Karīna Miezāja
“At the moment, it is not only who receives the award that matters, but also the common feeling that we are all here. The main feeling of this evening is that the creative processes are not interrupted. This is a time when the creative process symbolizes hope, and people need to be encouraged, given hope and future perspective, ”says Guntars Prānis, Rector, Conductor and Musicologist of the Latvian Academy of Music, Jāzeps Vītols. Joy for the visual design of the award with the legendary decorations of the opera “Aida” created by the artist Ilmārs Blumbers. Of course, if there are explosions nearby, then the music sounds different than if there are birds chirping outside the window, ”admits the rector of the Latvian Academy of Arts, painter Kristaps Zariņš.
“For me, this is the highest award in music in Latvia,” says rising opera star, bass Edgar Oshleja, to whom conductor Maris Sirmais presented the Grand Music Award as the best young artist of the year. “I don’t know yet where I will keep the beautiful statuette created by Armand Jacobson, but it will definitely be a place of honor,” admits the singer who came to the ceremony with the bride.
Agija Ozoliņa (from left) and Sonora Vaice.
Photo: Karīna Miezāja
A genuine surprise for the award received in the category “Performance of the Year” for the multimedia mono-opera “The Voice of the People. Telefons ”did not hide the singer Sonora Vaice – she is both the director of the opera and the main actor. “Completely unexpected for our entire Operetta Theater team! The show is a child of a time of silence – it was a time when a lot could be changed, a lot changed, it was born again. When I receive such an award, there is an immediate desire and a new incentive to do something further, and I can promise that it will be – thinking about what is happening to us right now. ”
Margarita Balanas
Photo: Karīna Miezāja
Shortly before the Grand Music Award ceremony, cellist Margarita Balana also arrived in Riga from London. The talented young musician won her first Grand Music Award in the category “For Outstanding Performance in an Ensemble”. “At a time when you are feeling insecure all around, you feel strong at home. This award is a great honor for me, ”she did not hide her emotions.
Organist Aigars Reinis, winner of the Grand Music Prize, performs Paul Dambja’s (1936) “Toccata alla fantasia”.
Photo: Karīna Miezāja
Asked about the contribution of the academic music of the past pandemic year, the jury member, musicologist, music teacher and lecturer Iveta Grunde admits that the competition for the Grand Music Prize nominees was very fierce, the nominees were equal, so this time only voted even more than once. “The votes were divided very similarly this time,” reveals I. Grunde. “It shows that there was basically no single leader, but equal competitors. Very good musicians and valuable events were left overboard. During the pandemic, it took vigor and implementation of ideas – it took internal motivation and team, so everyone is Malachi – even those who did not get a statuette. Sometimes we experience provocation due to provocation, we try to attract attention with something extreme, but last year was different. All concerts and productions led to peace and harmony. ” One of the pleasant surprises this year was the performance of the choir “Anima” (the performance “Shore on the Shore” was awarded the “Delphi” audience sympathy award). “Amazing! They staged the program. It is a complex music – nonacords, cluster-type chords that would be difficult for a professional choir to perform, but here the amateur choir did it. In addition, each voice is heard in a separate microphone. Great! ”
Winners of the “Grand Music Awards 2021”
* “For the contribution of a lifetime” – singer Samsons Izjumovs and conductor Imants Resnis.
* “Concert of the Year” – “Amao Omi” / “Pointless War” (Kaspars Znotins, Riga Saxophone Quartet, Riga Dome Choir School Mixed Choir and conductor Jurģis Cābulis. Organizer – Riga Dome Choir School Mixed Choir Association).
Winners of the category “For Outstanding Interpretation” – conductor Normunds Šnē and pianist Agnese Egliņa.
Photo: Karīna Miezāja
* “For Outstanding Interpretation” – ensemble and conductor of the State Chamber Orchestra “Sinfonietta Rīga” Normunds Šnē.
* “For outstanding performance throughout the year” – organist Aigars Reinis.
* “Performance of the Year” – multimedia monopoly “Human Voice. Phone ”(director Sonora Vaice, organizer Operetta Theater).
* “For outstanding work in the ensemble” – cellist Margarita Balanas.
* “Composer of the Year” – Jēkabs Jančevskis.
* “Young Artist of the Year” – singer Edgars Ošleja.
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