7. International Lūcija Garūtas Young Pianists Competition

On March 13, 33 young pianists from all over Latvia gathered in Sigulda at the VII International Lūcijas Garūtas Young Pianists Competition, which was held at Sigulda Art School "Baltais Flīģelis".

Young pianists competed in three age groups (up to 16 years old), performing pieces by Lūcija Garūta appropriate to their difficulty level, as well as contemporary works by Latvian composers. 

The competition was judged by a competent jury: Artūrs Cingujevs (Chair of the Jury): Pianist, Head of the Piano Department at Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music, Director of Bolderāja Music and Art School, Latvia. Agnese Egliņa: Pianist, recipient of the Great Music Award multiple times, Leader of the International Latvian Young Musicians Masterclass in Sigulda, Latvia. Patriks Zvaigzne: Lūcijas Garūtas Foundation.

For the third time in the competition’s history, laureates received glass prizes in Lūcija Garūta’s favorite bright blue color, crafted by Laura Rostoka, Head of the Arts Department. The International Lūcija Garūta’s Young Pianists Competition is the only competition dedicated to her legacy worldwide. The composer’s name is included in the “World Women’s Encyclopedia” alongside other significant figures.

The Lūcija Garūta’s Competition, initiated in 2002 to commemorate the centenary of the brilliant pianist and distinguished composer, encouraged by teacher Daina Skaidrīte Samta at the time, began with piano teachers from the Sigulda Music School. The second competition took place in 2010 after a longer hiatus, sparking significant interest on both national and international scales. Marking the 110th anniversary of the outstanding Latvian composer and pianist, the third competition was held in 2012. The fourth competition in 2014 featured an opportunity for each participant to view memorabilia of the composer and artworks created by students of the Arts Department for this competition. The V International Lūcija Garūta’s Young Pianists Competition took place in 2018, and in March 2022, the VI International Lūcija Garūta’s Young Pianists Competition was held at Sigulda Art School “Baltais Flīģelis,” with 55 participants from 26 Latvian and Lithuanian schools, demonstrating a high level of artistic and technical performance.

Group A:

  • I vieta: Suzanna Auniņa, MIKC NMV Rīgas Doma kora skola, Ped. Sarmīte Ārenta. L.Garūta “Suņi zaķim pēdas dzina”, A.”Zilinskis “Elēģija(Rudenī)”
  • I vieta: Estere Priede, Salaspils Mūzikas un mākslas skola, Ped. Dzintra Kļaviņa. L.Garūta “Drūma, lietaina diena”, I.Arne “Meditācija”, P.Plakidis “Āzītis”
  • I vieta: Melānija Urtāne, MIKC NMV Rīgas Doma kora skola, Ped.Ingrīda Sarkane, L.Garūta”Ai,sunīši, nerejat” “Cīruli, cīruli”, “Putniņi”
  • II vieta: Uļjana Poļakova, Bolderājas Mūzikas un mākslas skola, Ped.Elīna Villeruša, L.Garūta”Velc, pelīte, saldu miegu”, I.Arne “Stambulas tirgū”, “Pie strūklakas”
  • III vieta: Arina Šmakova, MIKC NMV Emīla Dārziņa mūzikas skola, Ped.Kristīne Šmite, I.Arne “Atspulgi d moll”, L.Garūta “Vilks un izbiedētie putni”, “Zaķītis”
  • III vieta: Marija Taranova, Ulbrokas Mūzikas un mākslas skola, Ped.Ginta Stalidzāne, L.Garūta “Dzeguze un dzenis”, “Putniņi”, I.Arne “Atspulgi d moll”
  • III vieta: Elza Grēta Vidze, MIKC NMV Emīla Dārziņa mūzikas skola, Ped.Roksana Tarvide, L.Garūta “Vecmāmiņas stāsts pie ratiņa”, P.Dambis “Alsungas dancis”, “Dej, māsiņa, līdz ar mani”

Group B:

  • I vieta: Aleksejs Šarovs, Salaspils Mūzikas un mākslas skola, Ped. Aleksandrs Komka, L.Garūta “Etīde As dur”, J.Lipšāns “Prelīdes Nr. 2, Nr. 5”
  • II vieta: Gabriella Maculeviča, Bolderājas Mūzikas un mākslas skola, Ped. “Zanna Puiša, L.Garūta “Variācijas par latviešu tautasdziesmu “Padziedi mazputniņ!”, I.Arne “Kvinta”, “Septīna”
  • III vieta: Timofejs Ivļevs, Jelgavas Mūzikas vidusskola, Ped.Edīte Kivila, L.Garūta “Cīruli, cīruli, kumet lūgsi kāzās?”, “Saulē un vējos”, P.Barisons “Prelūdija Es dur”

Group C:

  • II vieta: Alina Brovkina, Jāzepa Mediņa Rīgas Mūzikas vidusskola, Ped. Daiga Blumberga, S.Mence “Rudens vīzija ar nogrimušajiem zvaniem”, L.Garūta “Etīde A dur”
  • III vieta: Tīna Rieksta, Smiltenes Mūzikas skola, Ped. Inguna Balode, J.Vītols “Šūpļa dziesma op. 18. Nr. 1”, L.Garūta “Etīde fis moll”, “Zaļās birztalas”, “Etīde A dur”

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