Mārtiņš Klišāns
1967
Conductor, educator
Born on 30 November 1967 in Rīga. Received his first professional music education at the Emīls Dārziņš Special Music Secondary School (1975-1986). Continued studies at the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music with Professor Imants Kokars.
Furthered his education at Princeton (1999) and at Stuttgart’s Bach Academy master classes under Professor Bruce Abel. In 2009, received a master’s degree from the Latvian Academy of Music.
Started his conducting practice when still a student – from 1989 to 1996 he was the conductor of the Juventus University of Latvia choir; for several years conducted the Sacrum chamber choir, winner of many international competitions; for many years conducted the Beverīna mixed choir of the Cēsis City Cultural Centre (1992-2000).
Since 1998 – conductor and artistic director of the Rīga Dome Boys’ Choir. The choir actively participates in international festivals and choral music symposia, as well as taking part in Latvian National Opera productions and presenting solo concerts, including at the Easter Music, International Early music and European Christmas in Latvia festivals. During Klišāns’ time, the Rīga Dome Boys’ Choir received the Grand Music Award in 2001. At the same time, has also conducted the Valmiera mixed choir (from 2001) and the Vaidelote (Priestess) Rīga musical boarding school mixed choir (from 2005), and taught at the Latvian Academy of Music.
Actively involved in the work of several international organisations – took part in the World Choir Conductors’ Conference in Rochester (2000), European Union Choral Federation seminars in Brussels (2002, 2005), is vice president of the European Union Choir Association, jury member and guest conductor at various international choir competitions – the Boys’ and Male Choir World Festival in the Czech Republic (2004). Has sung in the Rīga Vocal Group and Ave Sol chamber choir, participated as a tenor in a number of baroque opera and oratorio performances (Handel’s Messiah, JS Bach’s Christmas Oratorio and Purcell’s operas The Fairy Queen and Dido and Aeneas). As a member of the creative group for the Dido and Aeneas performance, received the 1993 Grand Music Award.
Artistic director of the gala concert for the 150th anniversary of Jāzeps Vītols (2013), the Imants Kokars Commemoration Concert (2015) and the Celebration of Song concluding concerts of the XXVIth All-Latvian Song and the XVIth Dance Festival. A chief conductor at the XXIVth-XXVIIth Latvian Song and Dance Festivals, IXth, Xth and XIth Latvian Schools’ Song and Dance Festivals, as well as for boys’ choir gatherings, regional song festivals and Cēsis and Valmiera district choirs.
“If there were no Song Festival, there would be no Latvian nation – I am convinced of that. This is one of our nation’s driving forces, our symbols. It has allowed us to survive through the ages and imposes a huge responsibility on everyone participating in this process. I urge all festival participants to take on this great responsibility and joint task. We have to be united.” (Klišāns, Mārtiņš. Sing it right, even in a green pasture!) La.lv. 27 June 2017)
Officer, Order of the Three Stars (2015).
