Born in Riga (23.01.1978), Latvia, composer Andris Dzenitis studied at the Emîls Darzins Music School (composition with Peteris Vasks 1993-96) in Riga. His Sonata for Violin and Piano Pamestie(Deserted) was awarded the chamber music prize (1994) by the Latvian Composers’ Union when he was only 16. As a Herder Scholarship winner he studied composition at the Vienna School of Music and Drama with Kurt Schwertsik (Herder scholarship)(1996-97). Dzenîtis continued his studies at the Latvian State Academy of Music with Peteris Plakidis (1997-99) and then at the Lithuanian Music Academy with Osvaldas Balakauskas (1999-2003) where he also qualified for his Master’s degree. He has taken part in young composers’ seminars at Ivanov (Russia, 1995), Boswil (Switzerland, 1996), and attended mastercourses at Stockholm with Magnus Lindberg, Pär Lindgren and Bent Sorensen in 2002.
His music has been performed in Latvia and abroad: at the Warsaw Autumn Festival (1997), the GaidaFestival in Vilnius (1998, 2002), at Spelplan Stockholm (2002), MaerzmusikBerlin (2003), Nyydin Tallinn (2003), Arenain Riga (2002-2004), Bergen music festival (2005), KlangspurenSchwaz (2005), Time of music, Viitasari (2006), ISCM World Music Days (Hong Kong 2007) and elsewhere by significant latvian and international ensembles and musical formations like Latvian radio choir, Riga chamber players, Sinfonietta Riga, Kroumatapercusion ensemble Stockholm, Paragonesnemble Glasgow, Reinbert Evers or Pierrot Lunaire Ensemble Wien, Caput (Iceland), Deutsche Radio Philharmonie Saarbruecken - Kaiserlautern under Karel Mark Chichon.
Dzenitis is active as a music critic and journalist working as editor for music magazine Muzikas saule (Sun of music). As a sound artist coloborated with number of latvian visual atrists among them Olegs Klimovics and Gints Gabrans which instalation Parahypnotic participated in international bienale for arts in Venice (2007). He has presented lectures at the London Guildhall School of Music (2001) and worked as a lecturer at the Latvian Academy of Culture (2002 - 2004), working now as a teacher of compostion and theoretical disciplines at Jazeps Medins Riga music school. He is the organizer and director of the biannual Young Composers’ mastercourses at Dundaga (2002 - 2006) and Mazsalaca (2008 -) (Latvia).
Andris Dzenitis is awarded Eternityprize by latvian copyright agency by most played contemporary pieces (2003) as well his music for documentary film Workshop in the countryside was nominated for national cinematography prize Lielais Kristaps for best music (2004). Seven Madrigals by E.E.Cummings for mezzo-soprano and six instruments is awarded 1.prize in International Jurgenson competition for young composers, Moscow (2005). Stipendiar of Latvian Ministry of Culture (2004). In year 2007 Andris Dzenitis is awarded Great music prize - highest musical award in Latvia for his Fides.Spes.Caritas and five times nominated for the same prize in the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011. Postludium. Ice for syphony orchestra awarded musical piece of the year by latvian radio3 classics in 2009 and received award in culture by latvian national newspaper Diena (2010).
Since year 2004 Andris Dzenitis is member of the board of Latvian composer's union. Dzenitis is performing in different electronic projects with his electronic music group Woodpecker project, founded back in 2006.
Artist's homepage: http://dzenitis.webs.com/