Andris Dzenītis
(c) PR

The Skani label has released the world premiere recordings of Symphonies Nos. 1 & 2 by Latvian composer Andris Dzenītis. Burkhard Schäfer spoke with the composer about this album (the interview is available here). Apart from highly interesting information’s about the works and his own composition process, one remarkable paragraph is the following one.

« The younger generation increasingly expects that sound banks, ‘red impossible notes’ in notation software, ready-made instrumentation recipe sets, or, at best, books or short online courses will provide a formula for success, and that there is not much else to know.

At times, I have begun to consider that my students should be prohibited from using computer software when writing instrumental music. By listening to and believing what they play, they significantly damage their imagination and are misled about the possibilities. I have created my inner world of sound by imagining it on a blank canvas of fantasy in complete silence, or just by touching a few notes on the piano. »