Ilona Breģe facts for kids

Ilona Breģe was born on May 20, 1959, in Riga, which was then part of the Soviet Union. She is a talented musician who writes music (a composer), plays the piano (a pianist), and studies music history and theory (a musicologist).

Her Musical Journey

Ilona Breģe studied music at the Latvian Music Academy. She finished her piano studies in 1983. She then completed her composition studies in 1986. In 1993, she earned a special degree called Doctor of Art.

From 1983 to 1992, Ilona was a solo pianist for the Latvian Philharmonic. This meant she performed as the main pianist with the orchestra. Later, in 1998, she started working as a researcher at the Latvian Science Academy. She studied literature, folklore, and art there.

Ilona also held important leadership roles. From 1997 to 2006, she was the General Manager of the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra. In 2006, she became the Managing Director of the Riga Professional Symphonic Band. This means she helped manage and lead these big music groups.

Her beautiful music has been performed by famous orchestras, including Kremerata Baltica.

Her Compositions

Ilona Breģe has written many different pieces of music. Here are some of her selected works:

• 2008 Concert for Violin and Chamber Orchestra: This piece was written for a violin and a small orchestra. It was dedicated to the famous violinist Baiba Skride. It was first performed on January 17, 2009, in Riga.
• 2007 Otrais Rīgas koncerts (Riga Concerto No. 2): This concerto is for two solo instruments, a violin and a viola, with a chamber orchestra. It was first played on February 17, 2008.
• 2007 Simple Seasons: This is a group of pieces for a string orchestra.
• 2006 Riga Concerto No. 1: This concerto is for two violins, a cello, a string orchestra, and percussion instruments. It was first performed at the Kremerata Festival in Sigulda, Latvia, on June 29, 2006.
• 2006 Symphony No. 2: A symphony is a long piece of music for a large orchestra. This one was first performed on December 12, 2006, by the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra.
• 2004 Symphony No. 1: Her first symphony was performed on April 27, 2004, by the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Andris Nelsons.
• 2001 Symphonic Epiloque: A shorter orchestral piece.
• 1998 Concerto No. 2 for Piano and Symphony Orchestra: This is her second concerto for piano and a full symphony orchestra.
• 1988 Living Water: This is a chamber opera, which is a smaller opera. It is based on a play by Mara Zalite.
• 1987 Preconcert Music for Two Pianos: A piece written for two pianos.
• 1986 Concerto for Marimba and String Orchestra: This concerto features the marimba, a large wooden percussion instrument.
• 1985 Sonata for Piano: A sonata is a piece for a solo instrument, in this case, the piano.
• 1984 Concerto for Piano and Strings: Her first concerto for piano and a string orchestra.
• 1984 Divi liriski intermeco (2 Lyrical Intermezzos): Two short, expressive pieces for viola and piano.