Emīls Dārziņš
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Emīls Dārziņš (November 3, 1875 - August 31, 1910) was a Latvian composer, conductor and music critic. Dārziņš' work bears a distinct romantic character, with a strong trend towards national themes. His main musical authorities and influences were Pyotr Tchaikovsky and Jean Sibelius. Dārziņš musical contribution is mainly to vocal music (choral and art songs), but he also composed orchestral music, though only one piece (Melanholiskais valsis) has survived. His only opera (Rožainās dienas) remained unfinished after his early death at the age of 34.
[edit] Biography
Dārziņš was born on November 3, 1875, in a rural teachers family. Both his parents were very musical and facilitated Emīls' first musical education. His father, being an amateur musician and conductor of local choir, taught son to play piano. Dārziņš' attachment to music became stronger after he almost lost his eyesight at the age of 5, as a result of overstraining it while reading.
Dārziņš spent his childhood in countryside and attended various local schools. During these years he got introduced himself to Beethoven's and Mozart's music. At the age of 16 Dārziņš moved to Riga, where he continued his studies in music and composed his first choral piece Jūs, kalni, jūs, lejas. This song received good comments from well known composer Jāzeps Vītols. Visiting the 4th Latvian Song Festival in Jelgava finally strengthened his assuredness to become a musician.
In 1897 Dārziņš started studies in Moscow Conservatory, but was forced to leave because of an abrupt sickness. He finally entered St Petersburg Conservatory, in organ playing class. Due to financial hardships Dārziņš was forced to give music lessons, yet that was not enough to cover the living expenses. In spring 1901, not having finished his studies, Dārziņš returned to Riga where he started to work as a music critic, teacher, choir conductor and pianist. "To work for my nation and its art - that will be my motto!" - he wrote in one letter at that time.
In November 1903 Dārziņš got married to Marija Deidere, yet the marriage was not a happy one, partially due to endless material difficulties, also due to composer's growing addiction to alcohol. The latter was apparently encouraged by especially hostile attitude of other Latvian musicians towards him.
In the beginning of 1908 two orchestral pieces were performed in Riga, yet those were fiercely criticized by other Latvian composers. P. Jurjāns called him "a dilettante and a boasting critic" and even accused him of plagiarism. Dārziņš objected and asked for independent opinion of authoritative professor Alexander Glazunov, who found the criticisms unfounded. Yet Jurjāns had obtained a letter from Sibelius which apparently supported his slashing criticism. Having received that strong moral blow, Dārziņš decided to destroy all his orchestral works. The well known Melanholiskais valsis was restored after his death.
At the end of the same year Dārziņš started work on opera Rožainās dienas, which however was left unfinished.
Composer died on August 31, 1910, in an accident which is still regarded as controversial. It is believed that musician committed a suicide by falling under a train.
