Edgars Račevskis (11 July 1936 – 15 February 2022) was a Latvian conductor.

Biography

Račevskis was born in the Skrunda Parish. He studied at the primary school in Turlava and then at the Liepāja Music High School. He graduated from the Riga's Jāzeps Mediņš Music High School in 1955 and graduated from the

Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music ( lv, Jāzepa Vītola Latvijas Mūzikas akadēmija), formerly the Riga Conservatory, is a higher education establishment of music at 1 Barona Street, Riga, Latvia. The junior institute is the Emīls Dār ...

in 1960. From 1959 to 1996 he conducted the men's choir ''Gaudeamus'', and from 1960 to 1963 at the Latvian Philharmonic. After that, until the mid-1980s, he was the chief conductor and artistic director of the

Latvian Radio Choir The Latvian Radio Choir (Latvijas Radio koris) is the professional chamber choir of Latvian Radio which was founded in 1940 by the Latvian conductor Teodors Kalnins. Following the musical direction by Edgars Račevskis (1963–1986) and Juris Kļ ...

. He has also been the conductor of several choirs, including the State Academic Choir "Latvija". He was a choirmaster of the

Latvian National Opera The Latvian National Opera and Ballet (LNOB) is an opera house and opera company at Aspazijas boulevard 3 in Riga. Its repertoire includes performances of opera and ballet presented during the season which lasts from mid-September to the end of Ma ...

from 1994 to 1997. He composed compositions for the choir. From 1970, he was the chief conductor of the

Latvian Song and Dance Festival The Latvian Song and Dance Festival ( lv, Vispārējie latviešu Dziesmu un Deju svētki) is one of the largest amateur choral and dancing events in the world and an important event in Latvian culture and social life. As one of the Baltic song ...

. He was an honorary member of the Latvian Composers’ Union since 2004. Račevskis died on 15 February 2022, at the age of 85.Latvian conductor Edgars Račevskis dies

Public Broadcasting of Latvia Public Broadcasting of Latvia ( lv, Latvijas sabiedriskais medijs, lit=Latvian Public Media – LSM) is a publicly funded radio and television organization operated by both of Latvia's public broadcasters – Latvian Television and Radio Latvi ...

Awards

Grand Music Award Great Music Award ( lv, Lielā mūzikas balva), is the highest prize awarded by the Latvian state in the field of music. Award winners receive a monetary prize, and a silver statuette, created by Armands Jēkabsons. References External links * ...

(1993). *

Order of the Three Stars Order of the Three Stars ( lv, Triju Zvaigžņu ordenis) is the highest civilian order awarded for meritorious service to Latvia. It was established in 1924 in remembrance of the founding of Latvia. Its motto is "Per aspera ad astra", meaning "Thr ...

of the 4th class (1996)

References

1936 births 2022 deaths Latvian Academy of Music alumni Latvian conductors (music) People from Kuldīga Municipality People's Artists of the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic {{Latvia-bio-stub