Andris Vecumnieks

"I do not belong to those who want to solve deep philosophical thoughts, touch on the pains of the soul, the awakening of a culture’s philosophical and conceptual aspects. I want to analyse and weigh upon the fact that it is in my creative work even less... Reading texts, I develop musical ideas and later the mind is the one that professionally arranges them."

Andris Vecumnieks

"What in music is the most effective? – Crescendo and contrasts. In Andris’ works, the rhythm gives a pulsation that leave an impression, and that is an effect that he knows how to use. There are also clever playful moments, for example, in the paraphrases [Divas vistas (Two Chickens), Quasi Campanella and others – L. F.]. His piano work is attractive – I think even in the visual sense. If music allows for improvisation, then it will be alive."

Normunds Vīksne

Andris Vecumnieks was born on June 7th, 1964, in Riga. He studied with Ģederts Ramans at the Latvian State Conservatory (1987), later at the Latvian Academy of Music with Pēteris Plakidis – master’s degree in composition (1992) – and master’s studies in the Stockholm Royal College of Music with Sven-David Sandström (1993).

In recent years Andris Vecumnieks has gained recognition for his conducting work – he graduated the Opera and Symphonic Orchestra Conducting Class of Viesturs Gailis (2001). He has been a teacher at the Emils Dārziņš College of Music for many years, taking on many important administrative roles, including being the director of the teaching department and theory department (1991–1999), the role of school director (1998–1999). At this time he is a teacher at the Latvian Academy of Music (associate professor); he has been a pro-rector in academic work (2002-2008). As of 2000, Andris Vecumnieks is the conductor of the Emils Dārziņš College of Music and the Latvian Academy of Music Symphony Orchestras. He works with the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra and directs the chamber orchestra Sinfonia Concertante. Together with the Emils Dārziņš College of Music Orchestra and the Riga School of Choreography, he performed the Herman Severin Løvenskiold ballet La Sylphide at the Latvian National Opera (2001), performed with the Dārziņš Orchestra in Latvia as well as in Sweden. He was the lead orchestra conductor at the international competition Unga Artisten (Sweden) in 2000 and 2001.

He has taken part in international composition competitions, and was a laureate in choir and chamber music competitions in Latvian. He was an award winner at the 4th Sergei Prokofiev International Conducting Competition (St. Petersburg, 2003).

Lolita Fūrmane © LMIC