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Rihards Dubra
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Rihards Dubra was
born in Riga, in 1964. Following his early education at the Jurmala
Music College, he studied music theory at the Emils Darzins Special
Music College in Riga and then composition at the Jazeps Vitols
Music Academy of Latvia (1982-89). He completed his education in
1996 when he obtained his Master’s degree.
The composer’s main
creative interests lie in symphonic music, organ music and
large-scale works for voice or choir with accompaniment. However,
irrespective of his choice of playing force, Dubra’s music always
expresses his faith in God. “As faith is the only purity in this
world, I cannot imagine anything better than to write only sacred
music”. These feelings are clearly apparent in works such as his
chamber symphony Sitivit Anima Mea, Mother of God Watched for
organ, Lux Confessionis for violoncello and organ, Oratio
for marimba and mixed choir and many others. But the majority of his
works draw upon the main elements of traditional Catholic Church
music: masses, cantatas (Angelus Domini, Cantata in Nativitati
Domini, Canticum Fratris Solis) and choir motets with texts from
Holy Scriptures and liturgy (Pater Noster, Our Father, three Ave
Marias, Panis Angelicus, Salve Regina, Jubilate Deo and others).
The composer’s musical activities within the congregation of St Mary
Magdalene in Riga and membership of the group Schola Cantorum
Riga have served as important sources of inspiration for his
creative work.
The basis of Rihards
Dubra’s style is the unification of minimalism and neo-romantic
melodies with the intonation, form and philosophy of Gregorian,
Medieval and Renaissance music. “My music is often meditative; I
like to stop for a moment and to check it for some time. This is not
possible with life, but music allows us to achieve the impossible –
light, longing and eternity speak to us feeling every moment…”
Rihards Dubra’s music
has been performed in many countries, including Latvia, Germany,
England, France, Austria and the USA.
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