Click on video to hear introduction by Bill Barbini, former violinist with
NY Philharmonic
and Imant Kotsinsh conducting Wagner - Lohengrin Prelude Act III with the
Moscow Philharmonic
Short
Biography
Imant
Kotsinsh, recognized worldwide for his conducting and leadership
skills, was born in Latvia, while still under former Soviet Union
rule. He trained as a violinist in Riga, Latvia at the Darzin Music
College and later at the Latvian State Conservatory.
Mr.
Kotsinsh then transitioned into operatic and symphonic conducting at
the Latvian State Conservatory; simultaneously studying privately at
the Moscow Conservatory with Kirill Kondrashin (Van Cliborn’s
conductor, The Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow and Vienna Philharmonic
orchestras). His private study continued at the St. Petersburg
Conservatory with Arvids Jansons (Leningrad Philharmonic, Hallé and
Tokyo Symphony Orchestras) and Ilya Musin (Russian
conductor; prominent teacher and a theorist of conducting).
While
studying in Riga, he was also a violinist with the National Symphony
Orchestra of Latvia in Riga. He then became Music Director for the
Municipal Symphony Orchestra, Daugavpils, Latvia. As staff
conductor (1980-1986) for the Musical Comedy Theater in Riga, Latvia
he conducted operettas and musicals; and subsequently he became
staff conductor for the renowned Bolshoi Theater of Opera and Ballet
(1986-1988)
where he conducted performances of opera, ballets and concerts.
“Kotsinshis a great musician who even brought
tears to my eyes.”
— Legendary Russian conductor, Evgeny Svetlanov
Before
moving to the U.S. in 2000 Mr. Kotsinsh was Music Director for the
State Symphony Orchestra of Uzbekistan, Tashkent (1988-1991)
organizing tours throughout all the republics of the former USSR
conducting works such as the Mozart Requiem, the Verdi Requiem and
Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. Subsequently he was the Music Director
of the Yaroslavl Philharmonic Orchestra in Russia (1991-1994). He
was responsible for all repertoire policies and development of the
orchestra. He directed all performances of
the orchestra, invited all guest soloists and guest conductors, and
organized the Sobinov National Vocal Festival. In 1994-1995 he
was also a conductor for the “Young
Russia” orchestra in Moscow.
“We had a guest conductor by the name of Imant
Kotsinsh, and he did a performance with us that we found to be
absolutely electrifying. The performance was outstanding. Mr.
Kotsinsh got things from the orchestra that we hadn't imagined
possible… I talked to a few of the best musicians in the orchestra
and we all concurred… Mr. Kotsinsh is a superlative artist.”
— Bill Barini, former New York Philharmonic
first
violin for 13 years
For the
next four years Mr. Kotsinsh was Principal Conductor, State Symphony
Orchestra of Tatarstan . In addition to usual conductor
responsibilities, he founded and participated in the International
Vocal Festival “Irina Arkhipova Presents,” and organized a tour of
the orchestra to France and Germany. In 1998 be began a two-year
residency as Chief Conductor at the State Symphony Orchestra of
Saratov, Russia. Besides directing rehearsals and performances of
the orchestra he was responsible for repertoire of concerts and
selection of soloists. Simultaneously he was Professor of
Orchestral Studies, Saratov State Conservatory of Music, Russia.
From
1986 to the present Mr. Kotsinsh guest conducted symphony
orchestras, operas, and ballet in many cities including Tashkent,
Dushanbe, Alma Ata, Kishinev, Penza, Kiev, Voronezh, Riga, Moscow,
and St. Petersburg in a varied symphonic, opera, and ballet
repertoire including the operas Yevgeny Onegin, Pique Dame, Tsar’s
Bride, Tosca, Il Trovatore, Carmen, Pagliacci, Adia; the ballets
Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Nutcracker, Giselle, Cyrano de Bergerac,
Coppelia, Don Quixote, Petroushka, the Rite of Spring, The Firebird
and many others.
Mr. Kotsinsh was a guest conductor for the Monterey
Symphony in California from 2002-2005. He conducted special events
concerts and several of the symphony’s subscription series concerts
for the 2003 and 2004 seasons, including the opening series of 2004.
Since 2003 he has been the Music Director for the
“Gloria Symphony” Chamber Orchestra, Sacramento, USA and conducted
series of special Youth Concerts.
“Kotsinsh is one of a few talented conductors who are
capable of a highly professional interpretation of contemporary
symphonic music. Because of his splendid education and experience as
a conductor with orchestras in Russia and Latvia, many composers
entrusted [him] with the premiere performances of their scores.”
— Composer and Chairman, Moscow Union of Composers,
O.B. Galachov
“A talent such as his does not come along
very often, and this wonderful conductor should be
bringing his gift of making unforgettable music to more
people.”
— Pianist and Director of Operations,
Monterey Symphony, Joan De Visser
Repertoire
All major symphonic and operatic works of all styles
and periods, many contemporary works including, Bassoon Concerto by
S. Berisnky, the Fourth Symphony and Suite “Schirak” by T. Kurbanov,
and promotion of many great works of A. Schnittke, E. Denisov, and
E. Svetlanov. A Complete repertoire list is available.
Recordings
His recordings include violin concerti, bassoon
concerti as well as educational series "Anthology of Children's
Violin Concerti," which were developed and conducted by Maestro
Kotsinsh himself. Five discs with Melodiya Recording Company,
including violin concerti by Mendelssohn, Berio, Spohr, and Vildanov,
and a bassoon concerto by S. Berinsky; developed, conducted, and
recorded the educational series “Anthology of Children’s Violin
Concerti,” including Viotti’s nos. 22 and 23, Spohr’s nos. 2 and 8,
Rode no. 7, and Riding’s no. 1.
We are waiting for you, Imant! … We hope very much
that Imant Kotsinsh will give another performance in Angrien. He
should know that the people of Angrien are coming to the orchestra
concert not only to hear wonderful classical music, but also to meet
a conductor whose talent is marked by the light of God.”
"…Kotsinsh possesses an
impressive mastery of dramatic pacing and dynamic contrast in his
leadership of the orchestra, accomplishing his interpretations with
fluid power and certainty. … the maestro traversed the chromatic
depths, and heights and cycles of Caesar Franck’s monumental
Symphony in D Minor with compelling unity and commitment.Kotsinsh’s vision of the three-movement work emphasizes its
Wagnerian scope and harmonies, a lavish landscape of emotion that
vanquishes the dark and celebrates life.”
“Monterey Symphony patrons leapt to their feet … as
guest conductor Imant Kotsinsh brought the orchestra to the final
volcanic chords of Tchaikovsky’s symphonic poem Francesca da Rimini.The Latvian-born maestro approached the highly charged
depiction of Dante’s Inferno with the ferocious control of a master
magician invoking and dispelling demons.… Kotsinsh, who seemed himself possessed by this wild,
hellish musical magnificence at the podium, guided the orchestra
brilliantly, delivering such an emotive finale that the entire hall
vibrated with visceral force.This satisfying interpretation of the Russian masterpiece
served as the culminating thrill of an emotionally rich afternoon of
classics.-Barbara
Rose Shuler –The Monterey County Herald.
