Imants Zemzaris

"The mind says one thing. But how will you fool the soul?"

Imants Zemzaris

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.

Ligita Ašme, Mārīte Dombrovska © LMIC