Jānis Erenštreits
1942
Conductor, educator
One of the initial and most significant founders of the boys’ choir movement in Latvia.
Born 17 June 1942 at Miķeļtornis in Ance Parish, Ventspils District. Studied at the Jūrkraste and Mazirbe Elementary School, Ventspils Secondary School of Music, graduating in 1960, and at the Latvian State Conservatory (1965-1976).
He worked as a singing teacher at Ventspils Secondary School No 1 (1960-1964), was choirmaster of the Rīga Palace of Pioneers choir Rīga (1968-1969), and for many years – artistic director of the Emīls Dārziņš Special Music Secondary School Boys Choir (now the Rīga Dome Boys’ Choir, 1969-1998) and head of its Choir Conducting Department (1969-1990). In 1994, he founded the Rīga Dome Choir School, managing it until 2010. The school has become a springboard for many future conductors – Sigvards Kļava, Romāns Vanags, Ivars Cinkuss, Māris Sirmais, Ints Teterovskis and many other leading conductors studied there.
In 2017, he wrote a major study Kroņu pinējs (Weaver of Garlands) on the life of Jānis Cimze, the pioneer of Latvia’s choral culture and Latvian education.
One of the initial founders of the boys ‘choir movement in Latvia, also nurtured boys’ choir-performing traditions – organised Latvian boys’ choir gatherings and five Rīgas Doms International Boys’ Choir Festivals. Under the guidance of Erenštreits, the Rīga Dome Boys’ Choir has performed countless concert tours, won international festivals and competitions, and participated in opera performances and other ambitious musical projects.
“In my early youth, boys’ choirs were not assembled on the big stage,” remembers the conductor. “I also knew that boys’ voices sounded better in small, sophisticated halls, best of all – churches. But I am glad that I was able to get them involved in the whole choir movement. Because they are the most direct roots of the male voices. I even think that all 15 000 of these boys have a place on the big festival stage! To really sound great. Because nature has already arranged that they have angelic voices, and angels sing more intimately – to each of us individually. But always, when the massed boys’ choir is on the stage, they are beautiful moments.” (Grauzdiņa, Ilma, Izredzētie (The Chosen Few), 2008. p 201)
A chief conductor at the XXth-XXIInd and XXIVth All-Latvian Song Festivals, Honorary chief conductor at the XXVth-XXVIIth Song Festivals, chief conductor and active organiser of the IVth-IXth Latvian School Song and Dance Festival, organiser and chief conductor of the I-VIth International Boys’ Choir Gatherings, chief conductor of Valka District choirs.
Latvian SSR Order of Honour for artistic endeavours (1982), Officer of the Order of the Three Stars (1997), Latvian Music Recording Award for his lifelong contribution to the development of Latvian music (2018).
