Edgars Račevskis
1936-2022
Conductor, educator, composer
Born 11 July 1936 in Skrunda Parish. Attended Turlava elementary school, studied music at Liepāja Music secondary school and the Jāzeps Mediņš Music secondary school, later studied in the choir-conducting class at the Latvian State Conservatory (1955-1960).
Began his career as choirmaster of the Gaudeamus choir (1959-1996), also worked as conductor of the Sakta (Brooch) State Song and Dance Ensemble. Devoted almost a quarter of a century to working with the Teodors Kalniņš Radio Choir (1963-1987). His goal – to take the choir outside its habitual Latvian Radio studio walls. In an interview, the artist admits: “I follow the choir, rejoice and am happy that I had the opportunity to work with it. The Radio choir was my second conservatory – not just the choir, but the Radio Symphony Orchestra too. There were recordings, later also concerts in packed halls with very responsive audiences, programmes that included songs with a certain flavour of forbidden fruit. Today, the Radio Choir is a professionally outstanding concert unit, moreover I like the spirit of the seeker that they have under the leadership of Sigvards Kļava and Kaspars Putniņš.” (Mellēna, Lauma, Edgar Račevskis: You Have to Think the Same Thought. Lmic.lv 21 February 2017. )
The artist also worked with other professional choirs from time to time – he was second conductor of the Latvija State Academic Choir (1988-1990) and choirmaster of the Latvian National Opera (1994-1997). In parallel to his professional work, devoted much energy and effort to amateur choirs – founded and directed Gaudeamus, the Rīga Polytechnical Institute male choir (1959-1996), the Sonore mixed choir (1987-1997), the Tukuma teachers’ choir Vanema (1977-1987). After the restoration of independence, actively participated in the Music Committee of the Rīga Latvian Society and founded the Rīga Latvian Society National male choir (1997).
Guntars Felsbergs, conductor of the Vaidava mixed choir and a singer in the Gaudeamus male choir, pertinently describes the conductor: “His habitual image – smiling, hair flowing, rushing off ... As a chief conductor, he is a true choral god. Performs miracles with simple songs. Experience, inspired intuition. Every gesture should be carved into stone. Everyone feels wonderful.” (Mūrniece, Laima, Edgars Račevskis at work, in life and songs, 2006, p 210).
Throughout his lifetime, an active public figure. He has established several regular choral gatherings – the Jāzeps Vītols annual Days of Song in Gaujiena (since 1988), the grand male choir concert in Skrunda (since 2013) and the Independence Day male-choir concert on 18 November. In addition, has been a member of the teaching staff at the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music (1969-2000) and the Liepāja Pedagogical Academy (2000-2003) for many years. In the 1990s, discovered a calling to compose, creating a series of choral pieces.
A chief conductor at the XVth-XXIVth All-Latvian Song Festivals, Honorary chief conductor at the XXVth and XXVIth All-Latvian Song Festivals, a chief conductor at the IIIrd-IXth and XIth-XIIIth Gaudeamus Baltic Student Song Festivals, 9th and 10th Canadian Latvian Song Festivals and 10th American Latvian Song Festival, as well as of district choirs.
Latvian SSR Order of Honour for artistic endeavours (1970), Latvian SSR People’s Artist (1977), Latvian SSR State Award Winner (1980), Winner of the Grand Music Award ‘93, Officer, Order of the Three Stars (1996).
Edgars Račevskis passed away on 15 February 2022 in Riga.
