A glorious string orchestra from Classical Revolution PDX and the soaring soprano of guest soloist Vakaré Petroliûnaité join conductor Ethan Sperry and the 90 triumphant voices of Oregon Repertory Singers to perform Passion and Resurrection by Latvian musical prodigy Eriks Esenvalds. His dynamic piece recounts the searing events of the first Easter with music that is electric and unforgettable.
Paired with J. S. Bach's masterwork Jesu Meine Freude, the final concert of our 39th Season will truly be memorable!
Ēriks Ešenvalds was born on January 26th, 1977 in Priekule, Latvia. He studied at the Priekule School of Music (1983–1991) and the Liepāja 1st Secondary School (1992–1995), studied at the Latvian Baptist Congregation Theological Seminary (1995–1997). He received his Bachelor’s degree (2002) and Master’s degree (2004) in composition with Selga Mence at the Latvian Academy of Music. He furthered his study at international master classes, including the Latvian Young Musician Camp in Ogre (2000, 2002) with Martin Herman and Dana Paul Perna, as well as the De Villecroze Summer Academy in France (with Richard Danielpour, 2001), Česki Krumlov in the Czech Republic with Michael Finnissy, Guy Reibel, and Marek Kopelent (2001), in Germany with Klaus Huber, the international GAUDEAMUS music week in Amsterdam, the Netherlands with Trevor Wishart, David Land, Richard Ayres (2003), in France with Jonathan Harvey and Philippe Manoury (2004), in Norway with Ole Lützow-Holm and Nils Henrik Asheim (2005/2006), and others.
He has been rewarded with the Jāzeps Vītols (1999, 2002) as well as the VERNISĀŽA Musical Centre and Latvian Creative Fund (2002), and the Latvian Culture Ministry Scholarships (2003, 2004).
For his work IESPAIDI SĀREMĀ (IMPRESSIONS OF SAAREMAA), he received an HONOURABLE MENTION diploma at the International Clarinet Association organized competition in Miami (USA, 2000). He has received the LATVIAN GREAT MUSIC PRIZE in 2005 and 2007. For his work LEGENDE DE LA FEMME EMMUREE (LEGEND OF A WALLED-IN WOMAN) he was awarded first place at the 2006 International ROSTRUM for Composers in the Young Composers category. He is a laureate of the AKKA/LAA COPYRIGHT AWARD (2006) and Diena`s Annual Culture Award (2007).
British Composer Awards Nomination (2010). The Year`s New-Composer Discovery, Philadelphia Inquirer, USA (2010).
Composition Teaching Achievement Award by Riga Dome Choir School (2010). In 2012 the new CD „O SALUTARIS” of youth choir `Kamēr...` with choral music exclusively by Ēriks Ešenvalds wins the Latvian Music Records Award as the best academic music album of the year 2011.
He has worked as a teacher at the Riga 31st Secondary School. 2002-2011, he performed in the State Choir LATVIJA.
As of 2002, he is a member of the Latvian Composers’ Union. For 2011-2013 he holds the position of Fellow Commoner in Creative Arts at Trinity College, University of Cambridge, UK. Eriks is married and the father of three children.
About Vakaré Petroliûnaité: Special Guest Soloist
Praised by her critics for her wonderful sensitivity and sparkling tone, Vakaré Petroliûnaité is an extraordinary talent living and performing in the Pacific Northwest. Her clear, engaging voice and intelligent artistry bring vibrant interpretations to any state. She is making her performing debut with the Oregon Repertory Singers.
Vakaré has distinguished herself on concert stages throughout the United States, appearing as concert soloist with Westminster's Art Song Festival, Princeton Sinfonia and Jazz Ensemble, Princeton Musical Amateur Society, Portland Vocal Consort, Bach Cantata Choir and others.
Besides her concert soloist work, she is a member of The Julians, a hot a cappella female quartet who are selling out shows all over Portland. She is especially proud to be a founding member of the brother-sister folk duo, Amber Coast.
A native of Chicago, Vakaré holds her Master's degree in Voice Performance and Pedagogy from Westminster Choir Chollege in Princeton, NJ. She and her husband live in Portland.
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