Maija Einfelde facts for kids

Maija Einfelde (born January 2, 1939) is a famous Latvian composer. She writes many different kinds of music, especially for choirs, organs, and small groups of instruments.

About Maija Einfelde

Maija Einfelde was born in Valmiera, Latvia. Her mom was a church organist, and that's how Maija started learning music. She went to several music schools in Latvia, including Alfrēds Kalniņš Music School and Jāzeps Mediņš Music College. In 1966, she began studying how to compose music at the Conservatoire of Latvia. Her teacher was a well-known composer named Jānis Ivanovs.

Her Career in Music

After finishing her studies, Maija Einfelde became a teacher. She taught music theory and composition at different music schools. These included Alfrēds Kalniņš Music School in Cēsis and Emīls Dārziņš Music College. She helped many young musicians learn about creating music. Maija Einfelde has a son, Jānis Einfelds, who is a writer.

Where Her Music Is Played

Maija Einfelde's music is loved all over the world. Choirs and musicians have performed her pieces in many countries. Her works have been heard in famous places like the Berliner Philharmonie in Germany. They have also been performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City, USA. Choirs from places like Brigham Young University and the Vancouver Chamber Choir have sung her compositions.

Awards and Recognition

Maija Einfelde has received several important awards for her music. These awards show how much her work is valued.

• 1997: First Prize, Barlow Endowment for Music Competition
• 1997: Grand Music Prize of Latvia
• 1999: Award of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia

Maija Einfelde's Compositions

Maija Einfelde mostly writes music for choirs, organs, and small groups of instruments. This is called chamber music. She has created many beautiful pieces over the years.

Selected Musical Works

Here are a few examples of her compositions:

• 1982: Sonata-Meditation for viola and piano
• 1989: Crucifixus for solo organ
• 1990: Lullaby, for women's choir
• 1993: String Quartet for two violins, viola, and cello
• 1994: Ave Maria for organ
• 1996: At the Edge of the Earth..., a chamber oratorio for mixed choir
• 2002: Symphony

Recorded Music

Many of Maija Einfelde's compositions have been recorded. You can find them on music CDs. Here are some of the recordings:

• No Tevis (From You) // Performed by Female Choir Dzintars – 1995
• Ave Maria // Performed by Female Choir Dzintars – 1996/97
• Three Songs of the Sea for oboe, French horn, and string orchestra // Performed by Rīgas kamermūziķi – 1998
• At the Edge of the Earth… / Performed by Latvian Radio Chamber Singers – 1999
• 15th Psalm / Performed by Latvian Radio Choir – 1999
• Noktirne (Nocturne) / Featured on the album "Latvian New Music" – 2003
• Monologs (Monologue) for cello and piano // Performed by Māris Villerušs – 2003
• Ave Maria // Featured on the album "Latvian String Quartets" – 2008

See also

In Spanish: Maija Einfelde para niños