Jēkabs Jančevskis
Born
1992
Studied
Riga Cathedral Choir School (choir conducting)
Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music, composition with Selga Mence and Jānis Petraškevičs
Position
Composition teacher, Riga Cathedral Choir School
Conductor, Anima Mea
Published
Musica Baltica
Composer and conductor Jēkabs Jančevskis started to create music at the age of 14 and has since become one of the most sought-after Latvian composers of his generation. In his music, Jančevskis illustrates light, spiritual, and philosophic contemplation, while saturated emotional expression carries the dramaturgical ideas.
He is a laureate of Latvia’s annual theatre award “Players’ Night” 2023, in the category Best Musical composition of the Year, and of the Latvian Grand Music Award 2021, in the category Composer of the Year. In 2019, he won the grand prize in the international composers’ competition ROSTRUM, in the under-30 age group.
A significant part of his creative work is dedicated to choir music. He has collaborated repeatedly with Latvia’s leading choirs: State Choir Latvija, Ave Sol and the Latvian Radio Choir. Internationally his choir music has been performed by Berliner Singakademie, Rundfunkchor Berlin, and Chór NFM (Poland), among others. In 2020, the Riga Cathedral Choir School’s mixed choir and conductor Jurģis Cābulis, he recorded is debut album, Aeternum (Hyperion Records), positively reviewed by BBC Music Magazine and Gramophone.
His symphonic pieces have been performed by Konzerthausorchester Berlin, Kremerata Berlin, the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra and the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, among others. In 2023 his piece Lingum was recorded by Kremerata Baltica and released on ECM. That same year, his compositions featured in numerous concerts of the XXVII Nationwide Song Festival in Latvia, including five premieres. Beyond the concert hall, theatre and film scores form another important part of his output, including music for productions at the Latvian National Theatre and the Dailes Theatre, and for the documentary Dubļi (Mud, 2010).
Selected Works
Choral
Aeternum 2020
debut album, Riga Cathedral Choir School Mixed Choir & Jurģis Cābulis — Hyperion Records
When 2016
for two choirs & solo cello, marking the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death
Orchestral
Lignum 2023
recorded by Kremerata Baltica, released on ECM
Theatre & Film
Brands 2023
Dailes Theatre, Viesturs Kairišs — Spēlmaņu nakts award, Best Musical Composition
Klavigo 2016
Latvian National Theatre, director. Volker Schmidt
Lauva Ziemā 2012
The Lion in Winter, Latvian National Theatre, dir. Jures Jonelis
Dubļi 2010
Mud, documentary without narrated text, dir. Dainis Kļava
Zeme, kas dzied –
In the Land That Sings, dir. Māris Martinsons
Performed by
Selected
State Choir Latvija | Ave Sol | Latvian Radio Choir | Riga Cathedral Choir School Mixed Choir | Konzerthausorchester Berlin | Kremerata Baltica | Liepāja Symphony Orchestra | Latvian National Symphony Orchestra | Berliner Singakademie | Rundfunkchor Berlin | Chór NFM | Norrbotten Neo
Career & recognition
ROSTRUM International Composers’ Competition — Grand Prize, under-30 category – 2019
PRIZE
Aeternum released on Hyperion Records, reviewed by BBC Music Magazine and Gramophone – 2020
RECORDING
Latvian Grand Music Award — Composer of the Year – 2021
PRIZE
Spēlmaņu nakts (Players’ Night) — Best Musical Composition of the Year, for Brands – 2023
PRIZE
Lignum released by Kremerata Baltica on ECM – 2023
RECORDING