Peteris Plakidis

Internet Edition compiled by Onno van Rijen

Updated 18 June 2007

Born

4 March 1947 in Riga (Latvia).

Education

Plakidis started studying at the E. Darzins special music school with composer and teacher Gederts Ramans. In 1970 he graduated from Prof. V. Utkins's composition class at the Jazeps Vitols State Conservatory. His postgraduate studies were completed in 1975, the composer himself playing the solo part in his Concerto for orchestra and piano for the examination.

Style

In his works Plakidis uses a synthesis of ideas and influences. He has adopted the high order of internal organization and objectivity provided by Renaissance and Baroque polyphony and forms such as fugue, chaconne, canon and variation. He has created a style that, while rooted in the diatonicism of folk music, avoids folksong arrangement and rarely uses folksong quotations. Plakidis is a subtle connoisseur of Western European and Russian musical styles and a virtuoso master of stylization. This he normally realises not by a crass apposition of styles (as in a collage) but in a setting of harmonious, tasteful integration of styles. Finally, Plakidis's music is made particularly attractive by his subtle feel for orchestration, in which he approaches Tchaikovsky, Mahler and Stravinsky.

Works

Piano Sonata No. 1 (1965)
Duration: 6 minutes.
Improvisation and burlesque (Improvizacija un burleska) for violin, cello and piano (1966)
Duration: 7 minutes.
What Rings, What Peals (Kas dimd, kas rib), Latvian folk song arrangement for mezzo-soprano and piano (1967)
Duration: 3 minutes.
Words of Departure (Atvadvardi) for mezzo-soprano and piano (1967)
Text by Ojars Vacietis.
Duration: 4 minutes.
Woodcarvers of Lestene (Lestenes kokgriezeji) for mezzo-soprano and piano (1967)
Text by Janis Peters.
Duration: 3 minutes.
Sad Song (Skumja dziesma) for mezzo-soprano and piano (1967)
Text by Ojars Vacietis.
Duration: 3 minutes.
"Trident (Trejzuburis)", song cycle for mezzo-soprano and piano (1967)
After Imants Ziedonis.
Duration: 7 minutes.
Piano Sonata No. 2 (1968)
Duration: 12 minutes.
"The Threat", choreografic miniatur (1969)
Duration: 7 minutes.
Music for piano, string orchestra and timpani (Muzika klavierem, stigam un timpaniem) (1969)
Duration: 21 minutes.
First performance: 14 November 14 1970 in the Riga Great Guild by Peteris Plakidis (piano) and Elhonons Jofe (timpani) with the String Group of the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Romualds Kalsons

LP Melodiya CM 03807-8: String Group of Latvian TV and Radio Symphony Orchestra, R. Kalsons (conductor), Peteris Plakidis (piano)
CD Toccata Classics TOCC 0004: Riga Chamber Players, Normunds Sne (cond), Peteris Plakidis (piano)

"Rifleman (Poem Strelnieks), poem for mixed chorus, storyteller and symphony orchestra (1970)
Poem after Vitauts Ludens and after texts by Latvian folk-poets.
Duration: 16 minutes.
First performance: 19 October in the Riga Great Guild by the Latvian Radio Choir, conducted by Edgars Girgensons and the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Romualds Kalsons.
Revised in 1972.
"Evening Peace (Vakara miers)" for mixed chorus (1971)
Text by Janis Rainis.
Duration: 3 minutes.
Pastorale for flute and piano (1972)
Duration: 4 minutes.
Version also for two pianos.
First performance: 28 February 1980 in the Latvian Academy of Music by Nora Novika and Rafi Haradzanjans (piano).
Lyrical Cycle (Liriskais cikls) for mezzo-soprano, flute, oboe, clarinet, contrabass (1973)
Text by Laima Livena and Knuts Skujenieks.
Duration: 9 minutes.
"I Let My Bay Horse Go at a Trot (Riksiem beriti es palaidu)" for mixed chorus (1973)
Text: folksong.
Duration: 4 minutes.
"Stones on the Beach of Vidzeme (Akmeni Vidzemes jurmala)" for mixed chorus (1973)
Text by Janis Peters.
Duration: 4 minutes.
"Words of the Bell (Zvana vardi)" for mixed chorus (1974)
Text by Vizma Belsevica.
Duration: 2 minutes.
"Your Roots in Your Land (Tavas saknes tava zeme)" for mixed chorus (1974)
Text by Vizma Belsevica.
Duration: 4 minutes.
"For the Youth of the Baltics (Baltijas jaunibai) for mixed chorus (1974)
Text by Janis Peters.
"Departure of Summer (Vasarinai aizejot)" for men’s chorus (1974)
Text by Vitauts Ludens.
"Son of the Earth (Zemes delam)" for mixed chorus (1974)
Text by Ojars Vacietis.
"Candlesticks (Svecturi)" for men’s chorus (1974)
Text by Imants Ziedonis.
Duration: 3 minutes.
"Shore of Kurzeme, Shore of Vidzeme (Kurzemes krasts, Vidzemes krasts) for mixed choir (1974)
Dedicated to the Choir Ventava.
Text by Vitauts Ludens.
"The Baltic Sea (Baltijas jura)" for mixed chorus (1974)
Text by Ojars Vacietis.
"Why are you singing, Oriole (Kam tu kliedzi, valodzite)" for women's chorus (1974)
Text by Janis Peters.
Duration: 3 minutes.
"The Pioneers of Audrini", poem for boy's chorus a capella (1974)
Poem after Ojars Vacietis.
Duration: 15 minutes.
"The Red Song" for chorus and orchestra (1975)
Song after Ojars Vacietis.
Duration: 3 minutes.
Three Poems after Maris Caklais (Tris Mara Cakla dzejoli) for mezzo-soprano and piano (1975)
Duration: 13 minutes.
"Small Diptych" for mezzo-soprano and piano (1975)
Text by Laimonis Kamara and Maris Caklais.
Duration: 3 minutes.
Concerto for piano and orchestra (1975)
Duration: 19 minutes.
First performance: 8 April 1976 in the Riga Great Guild by Peteris Plakidis (piano) with the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Romualds Kalsons.

LP Melodiya C10 14445-46: Latvian SSR Symphony Orchestra, V. Sinaisky (conductor), P. Plakidis (piano)

Prelude and Pulsation (Preludija un pulsacija) for flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and French horn (1975)
Duration: 7 minutes.
First performance: 23 March 1977 in the Chamber Hall of the Philharmonia by Vilnis Strautins (flute), Vilnis Pelnens, Girts Paze (clarinet), Janis Barinskis (bassoon), Arvids Klisans.

LP Melodiya: Vilnis Strautins (flute), Vilnis Pelnens, Arvids Klishans, Girts Paze (clarinet), Janis Bariskas (bassoon)

Invention "Fifths" for two pianos (1976)
Duration: 3 minutes.
First performance: 20 February 1976 in Riga by Nora Novika and Rafi Haradzanjans (piano).
Two Unaccompanied Vocal Etudes for mezzo-soprano without accompaniment without voice (Divas etides balsij bez pavadijuma un viens pavadijums bez dziedajuma) (1976)
No. 1: What did the Star Say? (Text by Knuts Skujenieks)
No. 2: How Heavy the Sun (Text by Nora Kalna.
Duration: 5 minutes.
Two Variations for cello solo (1976)
Duration: 5 minutes.
Legend (Legenda) for symphony orchestra (1976)
Duration: 15 minutes.
First performance: 8 April 1976 in the Riga Great Guild by the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Romualds Kalsons.
Two Pieces (Divi skandarbi) for violin, cello, bassoon, and piano (1977)
No. 1: Half-forgotten Sentimental Melody (Pusaizmirsta sentimentala melodija) - 3 minutes.
No. 2: Detective Story (Detektiva epizode) - 3 minutes.
Two Sketches (Divas skices) for oboe solo (1977)
Duration: 5 minutes.

LP Melodiya C10 14131-2: V. Pelnens (oboe)

"Interplay (Sasauksanas)" for soloist group and symphony orchestra (1977)
Solist group: piccolo flute, flute, oboe, bass-clarinet and French horn.
Duration: 19 minutes.
First performance: 5 March 1978 in the Riga Great Guild by Agnese Argale, Vilnis Strautins, Vilnis Pelnens, Alfreds Neimanis, Arvids Klisans with the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Vassily Sinaisky.
Waltz (Valsis) for mezzo-soprano, cello ensemble and piano (1978)
Text by Ojars Vacietis.
Duration: 6 minutes.
Three Children’s Paintings (Tris bernu zimejumi) for violin, cello and harpsichord (1978)
Duration: 7 minutes.
Two Grasshopper Dances (Divas sienazu dejas) for violin solo (1978)
CD Teldec 0630 14654 2: Gidon Kremer (violin)
A Few Folk Motifs (Dazi tautiski motivi) for cello ensemble (1979)
Duration: 5 minutes.
With a Song in Life (Ar dziesmu dziviba)" for mixed chorus (1979)
Text by Janis Peters.
Duration: 3 minutes.
"The Entire Lifelong Day (Visu muza dienu)" for women’s chorus (1979)
Text by Janis Peters.
"The Sun, Dear Mother (Saulit, mila mamulit)", folksong arrangement for mixed chorus (1979)

Three Poems by Ojars Vacietis (Tris Ojara Vaciesa dzejoli) for voice and piano (1980)

No. 1: Over the River Upei pari)
No. 2: The Winds Will Find Your Trail (Sadzis veji pedas tev)
No. 3: In Warm Rain (Silta lietu)
Duration: 9 minutes.
"Two Magical Songs (Div’ buramdziesmas)" for mixed chorus (1980)
Text by Janis Peters.
Dedicated to Imants Kokars and choir "Ave Sol".
Duration: 7 minutes.
"Romantic Music (Romantiska musica)" for violin, cello and piano (1980)
Duration: 8 minutes.
First performance: 1980 in the Great Hall of the Latvian Academy of Music by Andris Pauls (violin), Ivars Pauls (cello) and Peteris Plakidis (piano).

LP Melodiya C10 21167: Andris Pauls (violin), Ivars Pauls (cello), Peteris Plakidis (piano)

"Fata Morgana", song cycle for mixed chorus (1980)
Text by Janis Rainis.
Dedicated to Edgars Racevskis and the Latvian Radio Choir.
Duration: 8 minutes.
First performance: 11 November 1980 in the Great Hall of the University of Latvia by the Latvian Radio Choir, conducted by Edgars Racevskis.

LP Melodiya C10 21167: T. Kalnina Chorus, Edgars Racevskis (conductor)

Two Songs for soprano, violin and piano (1981)
Text by Lija Bridaka.
Duration: 8 minutes.
Two Songs for mezzo-soprano and oboe (1981)
Text by Janis Rainis.
Duration: 4 minutes.
"Little Canon and Cartoon (Mazs kanons un Multiplikacijas filma)" for flute, oboe and piano (1981)
Duration: 5 minutes.
"Dedication to Haydn (Veltijums Haidnam)" for flute, cello and piano (1982)
Duration: 4 minutes.
First performance: July 1982 in the Munster Hall of the Riga Great Guild by Agnese Argale (flute), Ivars Pauls (celllo) and Peteris Plakidis (piano).
Concerto for two oboes and strings (1982)
Duration: 11 minutes.
First performance: 4 February 1982 at the Great Hall of the University of Latvia by Vilnis Pelnens and Uldis Urbans (Oboe) with the Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Tovijs Lifsics.

LP Melodiya C10 21167: Latvian State SO,V. Sinaisky (conductor), Vilnis Pelnens and Uldis Urbans (oboe)
CD Toccata Classics TOCC 0004: Riga Chamber Players, Normunds Sne (cond), Vilnis Pelnens and Uldis Urbans (oboe)

"Steadfast Tin Soldier (Nelokamais alvas zaldatins)", symphonic fable for children (1983)
After H.K. Andersen.
Duration: 19 minutes.
Midsummer Song (Vasaras vidus dziesmina) for mixed choir (1984)
Text by Ojars Vacietis.
Duration: 4 minutes.
Concerto-Ballade for two violins, piano and string orchestra (1984)

Duration: 17 minutes.
First performance: 5 May 1984 in the Great Hall of the Latvian Academy of Music by Uldis Viesturs Sprudzs and Andris Pauls (violin), Peteris Plakidis (piano) and the Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Tovijs Lifsics.

CD Toccata Classics TOCC 0004: Riga Chamber Players, Normunds Sne (cond), Peteris Plakidis (piano), Andris Pauls and Dzintars Beitans (violin)

"Invitation (Aicinajums)", four songs for women’s chorus (1985)
Dedicated to the Choir Dzintars.
Text by Laima Livena>
Duration: 4 minutes.
First performance: 1994 at the Anglican Church by the The Women’s Choir Dzintars, conducted by Ausma Derkevica.
"Predestination (Nolemtiba)", choral symphony for unaccompanied mixed chorus (1985)
Text by Ojars Vacietis.
Duration: 26 minutes.
First performance: 26 October 1987 in the Great Hall of the University of Latvia by the Chamber Choir Ave Sol, conducted by Imants Kokars.
Ballad (Ballade) for flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and French horn (1986)
Duration: 10 minutes.
"Canto (Dziedajums)" for symphony orchestra (1986)
Duration: 21 minutes.
First performance: 4 December 1986 in the Riga Great Guild by the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Vassily Sinaisky.
"Fable (Teiksma)", cantata for mixed chorus and women’s chorus (1988)
Text by Janis Rainis.
Prologue to the play "Fire and Night (Uguns un nakts)".
Duration: 7 minutes.
First performance: July 1992 by the Latvian Radio Choir, The Women’s Choir Dzintars, conducted by Ausma Derkevica.
"The Lake (Ezers)" for mezzo-soprano, oboe, English horn and string quartet (1989)
Text by Knuts Skujenieks.
Dedicated to Maija Krigena.
Duration: 9 minutes.
First performance: June 1992 by Maija Krigena (mezzo-soprano), Vilnis Pelnens, Uldis Urbans, Uldis Viesturs Sprudzs, Dagnija Sprudza, Valerijs Avramenko and Agne Stepina.
"In Autumn (Rudeni)" for mixed chorus (1990)
Text by Zinaida Lazda.
Duration: 2 minutes.
Meditation (Meditacija) for harp (1990)

Duration: 5 minutes.
"In Memoriam" for mixed chorus (1990)
Text by Bronislava Martuzeva.
Duration: 4 minutes.
First performance: 25 May 1996 in the Great Hall of the University of Latvia by a Youth Choir, conducted by Maris Sirmais.
"Songs to the Wind and the Blood (Dziesmas vejam un asinim)", song cycle for mezzo-soprano and symphony orchestra (1991)

Text by Astrida Ivaska.
Duration: 11 minutes.
First performance: 5 June 1991 in the Roy Thomson Hall of Toronto by Laila Salina (mezzo-soprano) and a string orchestra, conducted by Alfreds Strombergs.

CD Toccata Classics TOCC 0004: Riga Chamber Players, Normunds Sne (cond), Antra Bigaca (mezzo-soprano)

Little concerto for two violins (1991)

Duration: 17 minutes.
First performance: 18 August 1991 in the Riga Wagner Hall by Aida Grieze and Andris Pauls (violin).
"A Glance Back (Atskatisanas)" for symphony orchestra (1991)

Duration: 17 minutes.
First performance: 1 October 1991 in the Riga Great Guild by the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Paul Magi.
"Intrada" for clarinet and symphony orchestra (1992)
Duration: 7 minutes.
First performance: 27 September 1992 at the Concert Hall of Liepaja by Eric Mandat (clarinet) with the Latvian Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Imants Resnis.
"Night Conversations (Nakts sarunas)" for clarinet and piano (1992)

Duration: 8 minutes.
First performance: 1994 in the Riga Wagner Hall by Eric Mandat (clarinet) and Peteris Plakidis (piano).
"Concerto da camera" for string orchestra, two off-stage violins and piano (1992)
Duration: 8 minutes.
First performance: Summer 1992 at the Schleswig-Holstein Summer Music Festival by Aida Grieze and Andris Pauls (violin), Peteris Plakidis (piano) and the Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Tovijs Lifsics.
Five Piano Pieces for Children (1993)
No. 1: Bagpipes (Dudas)
No. 2: Reed Pipe (Stabule)
No. 3: Little Shepherd (Ganins)
No. 4: Lullabye (Supla dziesma)
No. 5: Little Goat (Azitis)
"One More Weber Opera (Vel viena Vebera opera)" for clarinet and symphony orchestra (1993)
Duration: 16 minutes.
First performance: 25 February 1994 at the Tivoli Concert Hall of Copenhagen (Denmark) by Reiner Wehle (clarinet) with the Sjaelland Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Aleksandrs Vilumanis.
"Song of the Flax Brakers (Mistat linus, mistitaji)" for women’s choir (1994)
Latvian folksong.
Dedicated to the women’s Choir Dzintars.
Duration: 3 minutes.
"The People of Fables (Teiku laudis)" for men’s choir (1994)
Text by Janis Rainis.
Dedicated to the Choir Gaudeamus.
Duration: 3 minutes.
Two Prayers (Divas lugsanas) from the Old Testament for mixed chorus (1994)
No. 1: Ave Maris Stella
No. 2: Domini Salve Fac Populum Nostrum
Dedicated to The Hilliard Ensemble.
Duration: 8 minutes.
Singing Prelude and Dancing Fugue (Dziedosa preludija un dancojosa fuga) for symphony orchestra (1994)
Duration: 8 minutes.
First performance: Summer 1994 at the Jaungulbene Young Musician’s Summer Camp by a Youth Orchestra, conducted by Imants Resnis.
First performance in Riga: 1 October 1994 in the Riga Great Guild by the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Paul Magi.
Song for Latvia / Song for Malaysia (Dziesma Latvijai/Dziesma Malaizijai) for soprano and symphony orchestra (1995)
Text by David Monson.
Duration: 9 minutes.
First performance: 30 October 1995 in the Great Hall of the Latvian Academy of Music by Marina Tropina (soprano) with the Symphony Orchestra of Liepaja, conducted by Imants Resnis.
Variations for orchestra (1996)
Duration: 20 minutes.
First performance: 20 September 1996 in the Riga Great Guild by the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Normunds Sne.
"Sleeplessness (Bezmiegs)" for clarinet, cello and piano (1997)
Duration: 12 minutes.
First performance: October 1997 in the USA by Eric Mandat (clarinet), Ivars Bezprozvanovs (cello) and Peteris Plakidis (piano).
"Eternity (Muziba)" for mixed chorus (1998)
Text by Janis Jaunsudrabins.
Duration: 5 minutes 30 seconds.
Dedication to Brahms (Veltijums Bramsam)" for clarinet, cello and piano (1999)
Duration: 7 minutes.
First performance: August 1999 in the Riga Wagner Hall by Eric Mandat (clarinet), Ivars Bezprozvanovs (cello) and Peteris Plakidis (piano).
Christmas Paraphrase (Ziemassvetku parafraze) for cello ensemble (2001)
Duration: 8 minutes.
First performance: 4 January 2002 in the Riga Wagner Hall by the Jurmala and Sigulda Music School Student Ensemble, conducted by Ligita Briede-Zemberga.
"Windmill (Dzirnavas) for cello and piano (2002)
Duration: 4 minutes.
First performance: 26 November 2002 at the Augusts Dombrovskis Competition at the Riga Second Music School by Tatjana Redjko and Lelde Muceniece.
"Open Air Music (Brivdabas muzika)" for violin and orchestra (2003)
Dedicated to Baiba Skride.
Duration: 11 minutes.
First performance: 2 July 2003 at the Latvian National Opera by Gidon Kremer (violin) with the Symphony Orchestra of Liepaja, conducted by Imants Resnis.
And furthermore:

"Falling Asleep"

Text by Janis Peters.
"Flower of love (Papardes zieds)" for mixed chorus
Text by Janis Peters.

For additional information please check Musica Baltica's Plakidis website.

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