Maija Einfelde facts for kids
Maija Einfelde (born January 2, 1939) is a famous Latvian composer. She writes beautiful music, especially for choirs, organs, and small groups of instruments. Her music has been played all over the world!
Contents
About Maija Einfelde
Maija Einfelde was born in Valmiera, Latvia. Her first music teacher was her mother, who played the organ in church. This is where Maija's musical journey began!
She went to several music schools to learn more. First, she studied at the Alfrēds Kalniņš Music School in Cēsis. Then, she attended the Jāzeps Mediņš Music College in Riga. In 1966, she joined the Conservatoire of Latvia. There, she studied how to compose music with a famous teacher named Jānis Ivanovs.
After finishing her studies, Maija Einfelde became a music teacher herself. She taught music theory and composition. She taught at the Alfrēds Kalniņš Music School, Emīls Dārziņš Music College, and Jāzeps Mediņš Music College. Maija Einfelde has one son, a writer named Jānis Einfelds.
Her Music Around the World
Maija Einfelde's music is very popular. It has been performed in many countries. Choirs like the MDR Rundfunkchor in Germany have sung her pieces. Her music has also been heard at famous places. These include the Berliner Philharmonie and Carnegie Hall in New York City. Choirs from the USA, Canada, and the Netherlands have performed her works too.
Awards and Recognitions
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
Her Compositions
Maija Einfelde mainly writes music for choirs, organs, and chamber groups. Chamber music is written for a small number of instruments. Here are some of her well-known works:
- 1982: Sonāte meditācija (Sonata-Meditation) for viola and piano
- 1985: Second Sonata for violin 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
- 1994: Adagio for violin, cello, and piano
- 1994: Pirms saules rieta (Before the Sunset) for clarinet, viola, and piano
- 1995: Ave Maria for women's choir and organ
- 1996: Pie zemes tālās... (At the Edge of the Earth...), a chamber oratorio for mixed choir
- 1998: Ave Maria for mixed choir and organ
- 1998: Psalm 15 for mixed choir
- 1999: Sanctus for solo organ
- 1999: Prelūdija (Prelude) for oboe and viola
- 2000: Skerco (Scherzo) for solo cello
- 2002: Noktirne (Nocturne) for harp
- 2003: Cikls ar Friča Bārdas dzeju (Three Poems by Fricis Bārda) for mixed choir
- 2006: Divas mīlas dziemsas (Two Love Songs) for 12 voices
- 2002: Symphony
Recorded Music
Many of Maija Einfelde's compositions have been recorded. You can find them on CDs. These recordings help people all over the world listen to her beautiful music.
- No Tevis (From You) // Female Choir Dzintars – 1995
- Ave Maria // Female Choir Dzintars – [1996/97]
- Trīs jūras dziesmas (Three Songs of the Sea) // Rīgas kamermūziķi – 1998
- Gloria for piccolo trumpet and organ – 1998
- Pie zemes tālās... (At the Edge of the Earth…) / Latvian Radio Chamber Singers – 1999
- 15th Psalm / Latvian Radio Choir – 1999
- Maija balāde (May Ballad) // Latvian Millennium Classics – 2000
- Noktirne (Nocturne) / Divejāda saule tek. Latvian New Music – 2003
- Monologs (Monologue) for cello and piano // Spēlē Māris Villerušs CD 1 – 2003
- Dramatiskais dialogs // Negaidīta atklāsme (Unexpected Inspiration) – 2003
- Sirēnu sala (The Isle of the Sirens) / Vocal ensemble Putni – 2003
- Sonata for Violin and Organ / Jānis Bulavs and Larisa Bulava – 2004
- Ave Maria // Latvian String Quartets – 2008
