Zemzaris, Imants (1951)
Biography Works
Foto 1
Imants Zemzaris was born on April
14th, 1951 in Riga to a family of artists. He studied in the Emīls
Dārziņš Music College Theory Department (1958–1969) and proceeded
with composition studies at the Latvian State Conservatory in
Ādolfs Skulte’s class (1969–1974). In 1985, he enrolled in the
Latvian State Conservatory Master’s program – Pēteris Plakidis’s
compositional class – and graduated that in 1988.
As of the 1980s, Imants Zemzaris has been actively involved
in music criticism and the work of an essayist in the Latvian
press, where hundreds of his writings have been published. He was
the editor of the music division of the weekly Literatūra un Māksla
(1988–1994).
He has worked as a teacher of theoretical subjects at the
Riga 3rd children’s music school (1972–1976) and, since 1976, has
taught composition in the Theory Department of the Emīls Dārziņš
Music College. With a genuine interest in the promotion of Latvian
music, Imants Zemzaris has organized chamber music concert cycles
and concerts. He also participates in concerts as a pianist and a
delicately heated commentator.
As of 1975, Imants Zemzaris is a member of the Latvian
Composer’s Union, and works as a member of the board of the union.
He is also a board member of the Lūcija Garūta Fund.
