Aivars KALEJS, organ

The composer and organist Aivars Kalejs was born on April 22nd, 1951 in Riga to a family of artists. From 1958 to 1969, he studied at the Emils Darzins College of Music in the choir and special music theory class, studying composition with Gederts Ramans. From the age of 7 until 13, he sang in the College boys' choir. At the age of 18, he began to play the organ. In 1969, he entered the Latvian State Conservatory. He graduated the composition class of Adolfs Skulte (1974), and the organ class of Nikolajs Vanadzins (1977). Studying at the Latvian State Conservatory, he was one of the last, who studied special harmony and polyphony with Lucija Garuta. He has participated in masterclasses given by organists Ewald Koimann and Leo Kremer.

He has given concerts in almost all of the countries in Europe, the United States, Canada and Japan. He has participated in international organ music festivals in Estonia, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Spain and the United States, as well as the Echternach music festival in Luxembourg. In 1998, joining the orchestra Kremerata Baltica, he performed in the United States, Switzerland, Austria, Germany and Russia. He has performed together with Kristina Stobaeus (Sweden), Lina Mkrtchyan, Oleg Rjabec, Ruslan Javajev (Russia), Alise Zinovjeva (Latvia/Italy), Inessa Galante, Ingus Petersons, Janis Sprogis, Dita Krenberga, Arvids Klisans, Uldis Urbans. He was the concert master of the Leonids Vigners chamber choir and the choir Muza, he has worked together with the women’s choir Dzintars , the chamber choir Ave Sol , the chamber choirs Sacrum and the Latvian Radio Choir. He led the vocal ensemble Dardedze (1971–1991). He has performed in the Latvian Philharmonia Chamber Orchestra, directed by Tovijs Lifsics, and the Andris Veismanis Chamber Orchestra. From 1980 to 1985, he worked in the monument's board at the Latvian Ministry of Culture’s, focusing on research of the organs of Latvian churches, and accomplishing the addition of 250 organs to the index of protected cultural monuments. Aivars Kalejs' writings about organ history can be read in music lexicons and periodicals.

He has played at church services at the Riga Cross Congregation. He is one of the concert organists at the Riga Dome Cathedral, is an organist at the New. St. Gertrude Church (as of 1989) and is the organist for the Riga Dome Boys’ Choir.

His works have won awards at Sinfonia Baltica competition (2004), the chamber orchestra Kremerata Baltica new work competition (2003), the organ work competition Sibirijas berni (2002), and the song competition Es dziedu par Latvijas meziem (2004). He has received the AKKA/LAA Copyright's Infinity Award (2004).