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Aivars Kalejs
Originale Literatur
Aivars Kalejs composer
date of birth: 22.04.1951
Aivars Kalejs (April 22, 1951, Riga, Latvian SSR) is a Latvian composer, organist and pianist.
Aivars Kalejs has written more than 100 opuses of symphonic, organ, piano, chamber and choir music. His works have won several composition awards, e.g. symphonic work "Musica Dolente" - dedicated to the victims of the tragic events of September 11, 2001). His works are included in many CD's of the great musicians and collectives such as Iveta Apkalna, Andris Nelsons, Maxim Novikov and Latvian National Symphony Orchestra. In 2017, Vita Kalnciema released retrospective CD Flashes of Aivars Kalejs organ music recorded in Riga Cathedral.
Aivars Kalejs is a concert organist at the Dome Cathedral in Riga and chief organist for the New St. Gertrudes Lutheran Church. He has performed solo recitals, included participating in dozens of important international organ festivals, and toured with various ensembles throughout North America, Colombia, almost all European countries, and Asia, including prestigious venues as Notre Dame de Paris (only Latvian who had three recitals there), Musikverein, West Point Military Academy Cadet Chapel with largest pipe organ in the world. Kalejs is known as an enthusiast in search of undervalued works by famous composer and music by forgotten composers. Up to 2004, he has recorded six solo CDs and participated in 34 CD recordings, including as chief organist for the Riga Dome Boys' Choir.
Kalejs has worked with such musicians as conductors Andris Nelsons, Maris Sirmais, Andres Mustonen, Pierre Cao, Sigvards Klava, Normunds ne, Imants Kokars, Andris Veismanis and Tovy Lifshitz, violinists Gidon Kremer, Valdis Zarin and Elina Buksha, violist Maxim Novikov, cellist Alexander Kniazev, Eleonora Testeleca, pianist Polina Osetinskaya, singers Inese Galante, Inga Kalna, Inga lubovska-Kancevica, Kristine Gailite, Ieva Para, Martina Doehring, Lina Mkrtchyan, Egils Silin, Janis Sprogis, Ingus Petersons, Rustam Yavaev, Sergejs Jegers, flutists Dita Krenberga and Ilze Urbane, oboe player Uldis Urbans, saxophonist Artis Simanis and Riga Saxophone Quartet, such collectives as Kremerata Baltica, State Choir Latvija, Latvian Radio Choir, Chamber Choir AVE SOL, Choir Kamer and many national symphony orchestras. Kalejs has led vocal ensemble Dardedze (1971-1991) and he has been piano accompanist in Leonids Vigners chamber choir and choir Muza.
From 1980 to 1985, he worked on the monument board at the Latvian Ministry of Cultures, focusing on research of the organs of Latvian churches, and accomplishing the addition of 250 organs to the index of protected cultural monuments. Aivars Kalejs writings about organ history can be read in music lexicons and periodicals.
He studied under Adolfs Skulte, Nikolajs Vanadzin and Lucija Garuta.
Aivars Kalejs has written more than 100 opuses of symphonic, organ, piano, chamber and choir music. His works have won several composition awards, e.g. symphonic work "Musica Dolente" - dedicated to the victims of the tragic events of September 11, 2001). His works are included in many CD's of the great musicians and collectives such as Iveta Apkalna, Andris Nelsons, Maxim Novikov and Latvian National Symphony Orchestra. In 2017, Vita Kalnciema released retrospective CD Flashes of Aivars Kalejs organ music recorded in Riga Cathedral.
Aivars Kalejs is a concert organist at the Dome Cathedral in Riga and chief organist for the New St. Gertrudes Lutheran Church. He has performed solo recitals, included participating in dozens of important international organ festivals, and toured with various ensembles throughout North America, Colombia, almost all European countries, and Asia, including prestigious venues as Notre Dame de Paris (only Latvian who had three recitals there), Musikverein, West Point Military Academy Cadet Chapel with largest pipe organ in the world. Kalejs is known as an enthusiast in search of undervalued works by famous composer and music by forgotten composers. Up to 2004, he has recorded six solo CDs and participated in 34 CD recordings, including as chief organist for the Riga Dome Boys' Choir.
Kalejs has worked with such musicians as conductors Andris Nelsons, Maris Sirmais, Andres Mustonen, Pierre Cao, Sigvards Klava, Normunds ne, Imants Kokars, Andris Veismanis and Tovy Lifshitz, violinists Gidon Kremer, Valdis Zarin and Elina Buksha, violist Maxim Novikov, cellist Alexander Kniazev, Eleonora Testeleca, pianist Polina Osetinskaya, singers Inese Galante, Inga Kalna, Inga lubovska-Kancevica, Kristine Gailite, Ieva Para, Martina Doehring, Lina Mkrtchyan, Egils Silin, Janis Sprogis, Ingus Petersons, Rustam Yavaev, Sergejs Jegers, flutists Dita Krenberga and Ilze Urbane, oboe player Uldis Urbans, saxophonist Artis Simanis and Riga Saxophone Quartet, such collectives as Kremerata Baltica, State Choir Latvija, Latvian Radio Choir, Chamber Choir AVE SOL, Choir Kamer and many national symphony orchestras. Kalejs has led vocal ensemble Dardedze (1971-1991) and he has been piano accompanist in Leonids Vigners chamber choir and choir Muza.
From 1980 to 1985, he worked on the monument board at the Latvian Ministry of Cultures, focusing on research of the organs of Latvian churches, and accomplishing the addition of 250 organs to the index of protected cultural monuments. Aivars Kalejs writings about organ history can be read in music lexicons and periodicals.
He studied under Adolfs Skulte, Nikolajs Vanadzin and Lucija Garuta.
