Female choir "Minjona"

Female choir "Minjona" of the University of Latvia has been established in 1975 within Pēteris Stučka Latvian State University.^[1] The founder and artistic director – Viesturs Gailis. On 5 April 1977 the choir has been awarded a name "Minjona".^[2]

History

Foundation

The first notice of the choir has been found in 1974, when female students of the Pēteris Stučka Latvian State University were called to audition for a female choir of Pēteris Stučka Latvian State University.^[3][4] Viesturs Gailis – the founder of the new collective was the first year student of Latvian State Conservatory and a son of artistic director and chief conductur of the mixed choir "Juventus" Daumants Gailis.^[5] One of the reasons for foundation of the choir was related to a huge interest of female singers to sing in the mixed choir "Juventus",^[6] another – own choir is a great tool for practice since Viesturs Gailis has become a student of his father’s class in the Latvian State Conservatory and opportunity for self-development.^[7] First audition took place on 24 December 1974; first rehearsal on 11 February 1975. Since then, the date of the first rehearsal is considered the choir's anniversary or birthday.^[8][9]

The first public performance took place on 1 June 1975 in the Aula Magna of the University of Latvia during Childhood festivity.^[10][11] On May 1976, there was organised the first concert.^[12] On Autumn of that year the choir was called to Latvian Television for recording their first sound and video record – Latvian folk song "Tumša nakte, zaļa zāle" and "Bēdu, manu lielu bēdu".^[13][14]

Name

On April 5, 1977 the choir has been awarded a name – "Minjona",^[15][16] which was inspired by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s work "Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship" (Wilhelm Meisters Lehrjahre) and its image Mignon. This choice is related to an influence of Daumants Gailis to his son. Daumants Gailis has been considered a conductor of Emilis Melngailis and Emīls Dārziņš, i.e., one of the best interprets of their music.^[17][18] During discussions within the commission of the university, in case to cloud the issue of name's compliance to Soviet ideology Edgars Meļķisis explained to his colleagues who were less acquainted with Goethe’s works that Mignon is a young, beautiful and charming woman.^[19] Viesturs Gailis, however, stressed that whether it will be possible to verify compliance to the name, whether our „Minjona” will sound, depends on their songs.^[20] For long years the issue of choir's name was unclear even for their singers. For commemoration of this event Viesturs Gailis as a dedication to the choir transposed a song for mixed choir „Minjona” composed by Emīls Dārziņš to female choir.^[21][22][23] This song is based on Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s one of songs of Mignon – poem "Kennst du das Land, wo die Zitronen blühn?" (translated to Latvian by Rūdolfs Blaumanis (1899),^[24] slightly changed by Emīls Dārziņš in case to adapt to music). This song for long years was an anthem of the choir.^[25]

Creative directors un chief conductors

1975–1985 Viesturs Gailis
1985–1990 Aivars Gailis
1990–1992 Sigvards Kļava
1992–now Romāns Vanags^[26][27]

Concert masters

1978–now Ilze Dzērve^[28][29]

Awards

2000 – 1st place – XLVIII „Guido d'Arezzo” International Polyphonic Competition Arezzo (Italy).
2001 – 3rd place – XXX „Florilège Vocal de Tours” International choral competition (France).
2002 – 2nd place – XVII International Festival of Academic Choirs (Pardubice, Czech Republic).
2003– 4th place – Choir Wars of XXIII Latvian Song and XIII Dance Festival.
2004 – 2nd place – XXI „Béla Bartók” International Choir Competition (Debrecen, Hungary).
2007 – 4th place –X International Choir Festival "Tallinn 2007" (Estonia).
2008 – 2nd place – Choir Wars of XXIV Latvian Song and XIV Dance Festival; diploma for best performance of mandatory song – Latvian folk song "Aunu, aunu balti kājas" (arranged by Imants Ramiņš).
2009 – 2nd place – XXXI International May Choir Cmpetition „Prof. Georgi Dimitrov” (Varna, Bulgaria).
2012 – Platin Medal – I Xinghai Prize International Choir Championships (Guangzhou, China).
2013 – 3rd place – Choir Wars of XXV Latvian Song and XV Dance Festival; 8th place among female choirs within INTERKULTUR World Rating.^[30][31][32]

Nominations

Latvian Great Music Award 2013 in the category "Concert of the Year" – Minjona took part in the nominated concert of Latvian Song Festival dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the birth of composer Jāzeps Vītols in the ''Aula Magna'' of the University of Latvia^[33][34][35]
Annual Latvian Music Recording Award „Academic music album 2005” for the album „Arvien vēl sirds” (2005).^[36]

Discography

„Salve Regina” (2001).
„Arvien vēl sirds” (2005). Nominated to Annual Latvian Music Recording Award „Academic music album 2005”.^[37]
„O Salutaris Hostia” (2009).^[38][39]

Participation

"Dziesmu svētki. Dziedot dzimu, dziedot augu" (2008).^[40]
"XXIII Vispārējie Latviešu Dziesmu svētki. Sieviešu un vīru koru koncerts Teiksma par latvieti" (2003).^[41]

Notable participants (existing/former)

Dr.philol. Inguna Daukste-Silasproģe (Literary science).
Vineta Elksne (conductor, Lady's Sweet member).
Dr.biol. Edīte Kaufmane (Director of the Latvia State Institute of Fruit-Growing).^[42]
Dagnija Palčevska (High-level civil servant of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Latvia).
Linda Pauga (Counselor of the Division of Employment, Social Policy and Public Health Care Policy of the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Latvia).
Antra Purviņa (Conductor, board director of the Latvian Song Festival Organization).
Maruta Purviņa (Official of the Public Utilities Commission (the Regulator))
Māra Trēziņa (Hokey player).
Evija Vanaga (Conductor, vocal pedagogue).
Justīne Voitkeviča (Conductor, vocal pedagogue).^[43][44][45]

References

External links

Records

• Maija Einfelde (1939) Ave Maria, "O Salutaris Hostia" (2009)
• Arvo Pärt (1935) Zwei Beter, "O Salutaris Hostia" (2009)
• Ēriks Ešenvalds (1977) O Salutaris Hostia, O Salutaris Hostia" (2009)
• János Vajda (1949) Gloria, "Arvien vēl sirds" (2005)
• Ilze Arne (1953) Ave Maria, "Arvien vēl sirds" (2005)
• Sergejs Rahmaņinovs (1873–1943) Ангел, "Arvien vēl sirds" (2005)
• Pēteris Barisons (1904–1947) Arvien vēl sirds, "Arvien vēl sirds" (2005)
• Bruno Skulte (1905–1976) Lūgšana, "Salve Regina" (2001)
• César Franck (1822-1890) Panis angelicus, "Salve Regina" (2001)
• Javier Busto (1949) Salve Regina, "Salve Regina" (2001)
• René Clausen (1953) 100 Psalm "Salve Regina" (2001)