Composers > Pēteris Plakidis

Pēteris Plakidis

"...the main thing for me is to reach a state where reality disappears. The illusion that the music I create is truly worth something. Apparently you cannot do without this. It would be a terrible hypocrisy to compose music that you yourself do not like. So you see – to reach such an illusion – that is a kind of insanity..."

Pēteris Plakidis


BIOGRAPHY

Pēteris Plakidis was born on March 4th, 1947 in Riga. He first studied at the Emīls Dārziņš College of Music, then later enrolled in the Composition Department at the Latvian State Conservatory (today – the Latvian Academy of Music). Pēteris Plakidis graduated in 1970 (Valentīns Utkins’ class); in 1975 he completed the Latvian State Conservatory postgraduate program. He worked as the music director of the National Theatre (at that time the Academic Drama Theatre) (1969–1974). As of 1974, he has been a professor in the Composition Department at the Latvian Academy of Music. Already at the beginning of his creative work, Plakidis announced himself very convincingly – in 1969, for his piece Music for Piano, String Orchestra and Timpani, he received a diploma from the then prestigious All-Union young composers’ competition. In 1982, the composer was awarded the title of Honoured Artist, in 1990, - the People’s Artist, and in 1987, he was awarded the Jānis Ivanovs Prize. In 1996, Plakidis received the Latvian Great Music Award (for Variations for Orchestra).

Though Plakidis’ music is very varied in expression, a classicistic balance is clearly felt. The music is permeated by an aspiration for a psychological preciseness and a polyphonic development, often combined with lyrical and emotionally tense mode of expression. Altogether, Pēteris Plakidis’ creative work covers almost all genres. In symphonic music, he has brought together the stylistics of neo-classicism and a romantic perception of the world. A perfect sense of form and an original development, often combined with somewhat ascetic, mostly diatonic and a very vivid melos, characteristic of Latvian folk music, dominate. In his choir music and vocal chamber music a psychologically dramatic expression is often represented, as well as lyrical intimacy.

Pēteris Plakidis’ talent to portray is also vividly reflected in both symphonic and instrumental chamber music. He is skilled at presenting very sharp witted and humorous images.

For many years, Pēteris Plakidis has performed as an accompanist together with his wife, the notable Latvian opera and chamber singer Maija Krīgena (mezzo-soprano). Today, they work together in the Latvian Academy of Music Vocal Department. In 1991, Pēteris Plakidis, together with cellist Ivars Bezprozvanovs and clarinettist Eric Mandat (USA) formed The Transatlantic Trio. The trio has given concerts in Latvia, Great Britain and in the United States. As a concert pianist, Plakidis still works with many Latvian performers of different generations.


DISCOGRAPHY

LP

Music for Piano, String Orchestra, and Timpani / Pēteris Plakidis, string group of the Symphony Orchestra of Latvian Television and Radio, Elhonons Jofe, conductor Romualds Kalsons – 20’04” – 1973, Melodiya, 33CM 03807 8

Invention Kvintas (Fifths) for two pianos / Nora Novika, Rafi Haradžanjan – 3’16” // Fortepiannaja muzyka XX veka, fortepiannyj duet – Nora Novik i Rafi Haradžanjan – 1977, Melodiya, C 10 08661 2

Akmeņi Vidzemes jūrmalā (Stones on the Beach of Vidzeme) for mixed choir / Text – Jānis Peters / Teodors Kalniņš’s Latvian Television and Radio Choir, conductor Edgars Račevskis – 3’34” // Teodora Kalniņa Latvijas televīzijas un radio koris, diriģents Edgars Račevskis – 1979, Melodiya, C 10 12241 2

Two Sketches for oboe / Vilnis Pelnēns – 4’50” / Prelude and Pulsation for oboe, clarinet, bassoon, French horn / Vilnis Pelnēns, Ģirts Pāže, Jānis Barinskis, Arvīds Klišāns – 6’35” // Zigismunds Lorencs, Juris Karlsons, Pēteris Plakidis, Pēteris Vasks – 1980, Melodiya, C 10 141012 2

Concerto for Piano and Orchestra / Soviet Latvia State Symphony Orchestra, Pēteris Plakidis, conductor Vassily Sinaisky – 19’43” / Sasaukšanās (Interplay), concerto for soloist group (piccolo flute, flute, oboe, bass clarinet, French horn) and symphony orchestra / Agnese Ārgale, Vilnis Strautiņš, Vilnis Pelnēns, Alfrēds Neimanis, Arvīds Klišāns, Soviet Latvia State Symphony Orchestra, conductor Vassily Sinaisky – 18’25” // Pēteris Plakidis. Koncerts orķestrim un klavierēm, Sasaukšanās (koncerts solistu grupai un simfoniskajam orķestrim) – 1980, Melodiya, C 10 14445 46

Ar dziesmu dzīvībā (With a Song in Life) for mixed choir / Text – Jānis Peters / State Choir Latvija, conductor Imants Cepītis – 3’16” // Latvijas PSR Valsts Akadēmiskais koris Latvija, mākslinieciskais vadītājs Imants Cepītis – 1981, Melodiya, C 10 15555 6

Kam tu kliedzi, vālodzīte (Why Are You Singing, Oriole) for women’s choir / Text – Jānis Peters / Women’s Choir Dzintars, conductor Ausma Derkēvica – 2’58” // Sieviešu tautas koris Dzintars, mākslinieciskais vadītājs Imants Cepītis – 1982, Melodiya, C 10 18639 40

Svečturi (Candlesticks) for men’s choir / Text – Imants Ziedonis / Men’s Choir Gaudeamus, conductor Edgars Račevskis – 2’36” // Vīru tautas koris Gaudeamus, mākslinieciskais vadītājs Edgars Račevskis (recorded in 1982) – 1983, Melodiya, C 10 19179 002

Concerto for Two Oboes and String Orchestra / Vilnis Pelnēns, Uldis Urbāns, Soviet Latvia State Symphony Orchestra, conductor Vassily Sinaisky – 10’34” / Veltījums Haidnam (Dedication to Haydn) for flute, cello, piano / Agnese Ārgale, Ivars Pauls, Pēteris Plakidis – 3’35” / Romantiskā mūzika (Romantic Music) for violin, cello, piano / Andris Pauls, Ivars Pauls, Pēteris Plakidis – 7’50” / From the cycle Fatamorgāna (Fatamorgana) for mixed choir: Tuksneša karstos putekļos (In the Hot Dust of the Desert) – 3’58” / Meža vīriņš (Little Man of the Forest) – 3’44” / Text – Jānis Rainis / T. Kalniņš’s Latvian Television and Radio Choir, conductor Edgars Račevskis / Songs for mezzo-soprano and piano: Upei pāri (Over the River) – 2’48”, Sadzīs vēji pēdas tev (The Winds Will Find Your Trail) – 1’19”, Siltā lietū (In Warm Rain) – 3’33” / Text – Ojārs Vācietis / Maija Krīgena, Pēteris Plakidis // Pēteris Plakidis, kamermūzika – 1984, Melodiya, C 10 21167 009

Tavas saknes tavā zemē (Your Roots in Your Land) for mixed choir / Text – Vizma Belševica / Latvian Television and Radio Choir, conductor Edgars Račevskis – 3’44” // Apliecinājums. Latvijas televīzijas un radio koris, diriģents Edgars Račevskis (ier. 1979 –1986) – 1986, Melodiya, C 10 25047 009

Ar dziesmu dzīvībā (With a Song in Life) for mixed choir / Text – Jānis Peters / 20th Overall Latvian Song Festival, combined choirs, conductor Imants Kokars // Mana dziesma I – 1990, Melodiya, C 10 30353 003

Choral Symphony Nolemtība (Destiny) / Text – Ojārs Vācietis / Chamber Choir Ave Sol, conductor Imants Kokars – 25’37” // Kamerkoris Ave Sol, diriģents Imants Kokars (ier. 1988) – 1991, RiTonis, C 10 30993 001


CD

Domine Salvum Fac Populum Nostre for four voices / Chamber Choir Sacrum, Conductor Andris Veismanis – 2’48” // Latviešu mūsdienu kora mūzika, kamerkoris Sacrum – 1995, Rīgas skaņu ierakstu studija, RS 009

Domine salvum fac populum for four voices / Latvian Radio Chamber Singers, conductor Kaspars Putniņš – 2’53” // Latviešu mūzika Rīgā. Latvijas Radio koris. Latvian Music in Riga. Latvian Radio Choir – 1999, LRCD 031

Choral Symphony Nolemtība (Destiny), text – Ojārs Vācietis / Chamber Choir Ave Sol, Conductor Imants Kokars – 25’37” // Jānis Ivanovs, Pēteris Plakidis, kamerkoris Ave Sol – 1995, Rīgas skaņu ierakstu studija, AG 9505

In Memoriam for mixed choir, text – Broņislava Martuževa – 4’02” / Vasaras vidus dziesmiņa (Midsummer Song) for mixed choir, text – Ojārs Vācietis – 4’02” / Izkal pakavu akmens zirgam (The Rock Forges the Horseshoe for the Horse) from the symphony for choir Nolemtība (Destiny), text – Ojārs Vācietis – 5’18” / The Mixed Choir of the Jāzeps Mediņš Riga College of Music, Conductors Jānis Lindenbergs, Jānis Baltiņš // Jāzepa Mediņa Rīgas Mūzikas koledžas jauktais koris, diriģenti Jānis Lindenbergs, Jānis Baltiņš – 1995, Rīgas skaņu ierakstu studija, RS 003

Aicinājums (Invitation) for women’s choir, text – Laima Līvena – 3’47” / Mīstiet linus, mīstītāji (Brake the Flax, Braker) for women’s choir, folksong arrangement – 2’54” // Sieviešu koris Dzintars. Diriģente Ausma Derkēvica – 1995, Rīgas skaņu ierakstu studija, 004

Rudenī (In Autumn) for mixed choir / Text – Zinaīda Lazda / Chamber Choir Fortius, Conductor Māra Marnauza – 2’15” // Kamerkoris Fortius – 1997, Rīgas skaņu ierakstu studija

Divas sienāža dejas (Two Grasshopper Dances) for solo violin / Gidon Kremer – 2’04” // From My Home – 1997, TELDEC CLASSICS 0630-14654-2

Dziesmas vējam un asinīm (Songs for the Wind and the Blood) for voice and string orchestra / Text – Astrīda Ivaska / Antra Bigača, Chamber Orchestra Rīgas kamermūziķi, Conductor Normunds Šnē // Rīgas kamermūziķi [Compilation of 20th Century Latvian music] – 1998, BRIZE BRCD 001

Svečturi (Candlesticks) for men’s choir / Text – Imants Ziedonis / Men’s Choir Gaudeamus, conductor Ivars Cinkuss – 3’05”// Gaudeamus dzied klasiku. Gaudeamus Sings Classics – [1998], Vox Classics

In Memoriam for mixed choir, text – Broņislava Martuževa / Chamber Choir Ave Sol, Conductor Imants Kokars – 5’38” // Apliecinājums. Latviešu kordziesmas antoloģija IV (1966–1990), kamerkoris Ave Sol, diriģents Imants Kokars – 2000, Ave Sol, LR 0002

Vasaras vidus dziesmiņa (Midsummer Song) for mixed choir / Text – Ojārs Vācietis – 3’49” / Rikšiem bērīti es palaidu (I Let My Bay Horse Go at a Trot) / Latvian folksong arrangement – 2’38” / Chamber Choir Fortius, Conductor Māra Marnauza // Uz augšu/Upwards. Kamerkoris Fortius, diriģente Māra Marnauza – 2000, Rīgas skaņu ierakstu studija

Veltījums Haidnam (Dedication to Haydn) for flute, cello, piano / Agnese Ārgale, Ivars Pauls, Pēteris Plakidis – 3’37” // Latvian Millennium Classics – 2000, UPE CLASSICS

Romantiska mūzika (Romantic Music) for violin, cello, and piano / Gidons Grīnbergs, Rihards Štrauss, Uģis Krišjānis – 8’05” // International Student Chamber Music Festival (Estonian Academy of Music) – 2000, Eesti Muusikaakadeemia, EMA 005

Nelīst`, lietus, nelīst`, lietus (Do not Rain, Do not Rain) – Latvian folksong arrangement – 3’41” / Rikšiem bērīti es palaidu (I Let my Bay Horse Go at a Trot), Latvian folksong arrangement – 2’45” // Sidrabiņa lietiņš lija. Latviešu kordziesmas antoloģija XI (1966–1990). Kamerkoris Ave Sol, diriģents Imants Kokars (ier. Rīgas sv. Franciska baznīcā 2001) – 2001, Ave Sol, LR 0101

Tumša nakte (Dark Night), Latvian folksong arrangement for men’s choir / Men’s Choir Tēvzeme – 2’21” // Latvijas vīru koris Tēvzeme, diriģents Haralds Mednis – 2001, Baltic Optical Disc, AG 001

Concerto for Two Oboes and Strings / Vilnis Pelnēns, Uldis Urbāns, String Group of the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, Conductor Vassily Sinaisky – 10’43” / Leģenda (Legend) for symphony orchestra / Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, Conductor Vassily Sinaisky / Romantiskā mūzika (Romantic Music) for violin, cello, piano / Andris Pauls, Ivars Pauls, Pēteris Plakidis – 7’44” / Veltījums Haidnam (Dedication to Haydn) for flute, cello, piano / Agnese Ārgale, Ivars Pauls, Pēteris Plakidis – 3’37” / Pusaizmirsta sentimentāla melodija (Half-forgotten Sentimental Melody) for violin, cello, bassoon, piano / Dzintars Beitāns, Ivars Bezprozvanovs, Andris Arnicāns, Pēteris Plakidis – 3’07” / Detektīva epizode (Detective Story) for violin, cello, bassoon, and piano / Dzintars Beitāns, Ivars Bezprozvanovs, Andris Arnicāns, Pēteris Plakidis – 3’16” / Night Conversations for clarinet and piano / Eric Mandat, Pēteris Plakidis – 8’27” / Variations for orchestra / Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, Conductor Normunds Šnē – 17’57” // Pēteris Plakidis. Variations, conversations, episodes (Latvijas Radio ieraksti 1988–1999) – 2002, LYRA, CD 0778

Saulīt mīļā, māmulīt (Dear Sun, Mother) for mixed choir / Latvian folk song arrangement / Mīstat linus, mīstītāji (Flaxs Brakers’ Song) / Latvian folk song arrangement / The Riga Chamber Choir Ave Sol, conductor Imants Kokars // Saule pina vainadziņu. Latviešu kordziesmas antoloģija X (1991–2000). Rīgas kamerkoris Ave Sol, diriģents Imants Kokars – 2002, Ave Sol, LR 0202

Dziesmas vējam un asinīm (Songs for the Wind and the Blood): Šai silā neiet neviens (No-one Dears Venture into this Forest) – 4’26”, Asiņu tumšie ūdeņi plūst (Blood, Like Dark Water Flows) – 3’08”, Pieņem mani, vējš (O, Wind, Accept Me) – 3’19” / Text – Astrīde Ivaska / Antra Bigača, orchestra Rīgas kamermūziķi, conductor Normunds Šnē // Antra Bigača – 2002, BIS-CD-1146

Mīstat linus, mīstītāji (Flaxs Brakers’ Song) – 2’21” / The Chamber Choir Ave Sol, conductor Imants Kokars // Baltic Choral Works I. A Collection of Latvian Choral Works – 2003, VICS-61107

Vasaras vidus dziesmiņa (Midsummer Song) / Text – Ojārs Vācietis / Youth Choir Sonore, conductor Mārtiņš Ozoliņš – 4’15” // XXIII Vispārējie Latviešu Dziesmu svētki. Noslēguma koncerts I – 2003, Baltic Records Group, BRG CD 158

Es bij’meita (I was a Lass), Latvian folk song arrangement for mixed choir / Girls Choir Skanda, conductor Alda Šeļegovska – 6’26” / XXIII Vispārējie Latviešu Dziesmu svētki. Sieviešu un vīru koru koncerts Teiksma par latvieti I – 2003, Baltic Records Group, BRG CD 159

Glance Back for orchestra / Symphony Orchestra of Bulgaria, conductor Alkis Panayotopoulos – 13’54” // Works for Orchestra by Greek Composers. No. 4 – 2004, LYRA, CD 1044

Vēl viena Vēbera opera (One More Weber Opera) for clarinet and symphony orchestra / Ints Dālderis, Liepāja Symphony Orchestra, conductor Imants Resnis – 15’48” // Latviešu klasikas sešas virsotnes. From the Summits. Six masterpieces of Latvian classical music – 2005, UPE tt, CD008

Toccata and Epilogue from Concerto for Orchestra and Piano / Pēteris Plakidis, Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, conductor Vassily Sinaisky – 10’03” // Music in Latvia-2005 – 2005, LMIC CD-2005-4

Concerto for Orchestra and Piano / Pēteris Plakidis, Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, conductor Vassily Sinaisky – 19’54” // Symphonia ipsa. CD I – LMIC CD – 2005 – 5/6

Music for Piano, Strings and Timpani / Pēteris Plakidis, orchestra Rīgas kamermūziķi, conductor Normunds Šnē – 21’14” / Dziesmas vējam un asinīm (Songs for the Wind and Blood) / Text – Astrīda Ivaska / Antra Bigača, orchestra Rīgas kamermūziķi, conductor Normunds Šnē – 10’58” / Concerto for Two Oboes and Strings / Uldis Urbāns, Vilnis Pelnēns (oboes), orchestra Rīgas kamermūziķi, conductor Normunds Šnē – 10’59” / Concerto Ballad for Two Violins, Piano and Strings / orchestra Rīgas kamermūziķi, conductor Normunds Šnē – 16’41” // Pēteris Plakidis. Songs for Wind and Blood. Music for Piano, Strings and Timpani. Concerto for Two Oboes and Strings. Concerto-Ballad for Two Violins, Piano and Strings – 2007, Toccata Classics, TOCC 0004

Pasticcio à la Rossini for cello and string orchestra / Kristīne Blaumane, orchestra Kremerata Baltica – 9’06” // Latviešu mūzikas ainavas – 2007, Kremerata Baltica, [s. n.]

Divas skices (Two Sketches) for oboe solo / Vilnis Pelnēns – 5’01” / Prelūdija un pulsācija (Prelude and Pulsation) for wind quintet / Wind Quintet of the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra: Vilnis Strautiņš (flute), Vilnis Pelnēns (oboe), Ģirts Pāže (clarinet), Arvīds Klišāns (French horn), Jānis Barinskis (bassoon) – 6’47” / Sasaukšanās (Interplay), concert for soloist group and symphony orchestra / Agnese Ārgale (piccolo flute), Vilnis Strautiņš (flute), Vilnis Pelnēns (oboe), Arvīds Klišāns (French horn), Alfrēds Neimanis (bass clarinet), Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, conductor Vassily Sinaisky – 18’18” // Latviešu komponisti pūšaminstrumentiem / Music for Winds by Latvian Composers – 2008, LMIC 016

Trīs Ojāra Vācieša dzejoļi (Three Poems by Ojārs Vācietis): Upei pāri (Over the River) - 2’43”, Sadzīs vēji pēdas tev (The Winds Will Find Your Trail) - 1’17”, Siltā lietū (In Warm Rain) - 4’03” / Antra Bigača (mezzo-soprano), Ventis Zilberts (piano) // Laikam pāri... Latvian Vocal Chamber Music 1950-2000. Antra Bigača - 2010, Herman Braun Foundation, HBF 009

Veltījums Brāmsam (Dedication to Brahms) for clarinet, cello and piano / Egīls Šēfers, Ēriks Kiršfelds, Toms Ostrovskis – 6’05” // Egīls Šēfers. Ziemeļsaule / Northern Sun – 2010, LMIC 022

Ēnu dejas (Dances of the Shadows) for viola and piano / Andra Dārziņa, Andreas Kersten – 4’05” // Latvian Impressions. Lettische Impressionen – 2010, Animato, ACD6117

In memoriam for mixed choir / Text – Broņislava Martuževa / The Riga Youth Choir Kamēr..., conductor Māris Sirmais // Kamēr... Riga Youth Choir – [s. a.], Platforma Records, PRCD 016


LITERATURE

Zariņš, M. Par jaunajiem komponistiem (About Young Composers) // Māksla, 1972, No. 2, p. 28 • Pupa, G. Dubultportrets mūzikas prizmā (Double Portrait in the Prism of Music) [about composer Pēteris Plakidis and singer Maija Krīgena], Liesma, 1976, No. 1, pp. 4–5 • Grāvītis, O. Pētera Plakida pirmajā autorkoncertā (At the First Author Concert by Pēteris Plakidis) // Literatūra un Māksla, 1976, April 24th • Torgāns, J. Par Pēteri Plakidi (About Pēteris Plakidis) // Latviešu mūzika 13. – Riga: Liesma, 1978, pp. 68–86 • Zemzare, I. …kamēr spēj mainīties (...While I am Able to Change) [Double portrait of J. Karlsons and P. Plakidis] // Padomju Jaunatne, 1978, March 5th • Zemzare, I. K portretu P. Plakidisa (A Portrait of P. Plakidis) // Sovetskaja Muzyka, 1978, No. 1, pp. 30–33 • Zemzare, I. Mūzikas aptvertā esība (The Embraced Existence of Music) [contemplation of P. Plakidis] // Liesma, 1980, No. 11, pp. 19–20 • Torgan, J. Molodaja zrelost` Peterisa Plakidisa (The Early Maturity of Pēteris Plakidis) // Muzikal`naja kul`tura bratskih respublik SSSR (The Music Culture of the Brotherly Republics of the Soviet Union).– Kiev: Muzična Ukraina, 1982, pp. 113–132 • Haradžanjans, R. Pēteris Plakidis – pianists. Raksturojuma skice (Pēteris Plakidis – pianist. A Sketch of His Character) // Literatūra un Māksla, 1982, June 8th • Lūsiņa, I. Nakts sarunas tranzītā Ilinoisa – Riga (Discussions at Night While in Transit from Illinois to Riga) [about the duet of Latvian composer P. Plakidis and American clarinetist E. Mandat] // Diena, 1994, June 30th • Ķeniņš, T. Izcils jaundarbs latviešu mūzikā (A Distinguished New Work of Latvian Music) ([about P. Plakidis’s Variations for symphony orchestra] // Laiks, 1997, March 1st, p. 4 • Lūsiņa, I. Plakidis jubileju svinēs bez koncertiem (Plakidis Will Celebrate his Anniversary Without Concerts) [report about the composer’s 50 year anniversary] // Diena, 1997, March 4th • Deksne, I. Pētera Plakida simfoniskā mūzika: modālā ievirze, semantiskās zīmes, dramaturģijas modeļi (The Symphonic Music of Pēteris Plakidis: Modal Trends, Semantic Signs, Dramaturgical Models) [master’s thesis]. – Riga: Latvian Academy of Music, 1998 • Zemzare, I., Pupa, G. Jauno mūzika pēc divdesmit gadiem (Music of the Young After Twenty Years).– Rīga: Jumava, 2000 • Lesle, L. Die Musik Estlands, Lettlands und Litauens im Überblick (An Overview of the Music of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) // Sikorski Informiert [Quartalsmagazin der Internationalen Musikverlage Hans Sikorski] Sonderveröffentlichung 2001, C 25726 F


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