I believe that my work as a conductor has enabled me to understand the importance of finding a balance between the rational and the emotional. You can be as emotional as you like, but the orchestra may not respond. I dislike ostentation and disagree with the notion that a conductor has to put on a show – in my opinion the conductor is there to help the orchestra perform.
I think that any performance is a message, which each member of the audience must decipher. No work will have the same effect on all people - and that is the highest form of democracy, because everyone is entitled to his own interpretation. At the same time listening requires skill. The listener must be as open to the performance as the musician is to the score in front of hiI think that any performance is a message, which each member of the audience must decipher. No work will have the same effect on all people - and that is the highest form of democracy, because everyone is entitled to his own interpretation. At the same time listening requires skill. The listener must be as open to the performance as the musician is to the score in front of him.
Normunds Šnē
Normunds Šnē
Education:
Studied the oboe and conducting at the Latvian Academy of Music Studied the oboe at Jelgava Secondary Music School
Teachers:
Vilnis Pelnēns, Heinz Holliger, Tamara Fidler, Yuri Simonov, Jorma Panula and Imants Resnis
Oboist:
Since 2007 – professor of oboe at the Latvian Academy of Music 1978–1997 - second oboe in the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra Since secondary school – soloist and chamber musician
Conductor:
Since 2006 – Artistic Director of the State Chamber Orchestra “Sinfonietta Rīga” Since 1999 – Founder and Artistic Director of the Riga Festival Orchestra Since 1998 – Conductor at the Latvian National Opera 1987–2006 – Founder and Artistic Director of the chamber orchestra “Rīgas kamermūziķi” 1996–1998 – Conductor of the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra 1997–1998 – Guest conductor of the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra
Other experience:
Oboist, guitar-player and sound engineer for the progressive Latvian rock bands “Salve”, “Sīpoli”, “Pērkons” and “Marana” Producer and mastering engineer for a variety of CD recordings
Performed together with:
Peter Donahoe, Isabelle Faust, Martin Fröst, Patrick Gallois, David Geringas, Tatyana Grindenko, Natalia Gutman, Gidon Kremer, Christian Lindberg, Truls Mjørk, Crispian Steele-Perkins, Terje Rypdal, Mstislav Rostropovich, Joe Zawinul and others
Performances outside Latvia:
Australia, Austria, Denmark, France, Italy, Japan, Russia, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Norway, Finland, Spain, Switzerland, Germany and Sweden
Recordings:
20 CDs, produced by various record companies including ECM, BIS and BMG/Connifer
Awards:
Six-time recipient of the Latvian Great Music Award under different nominations
Hobby:
Passionate amateur radio operator (callsign YL3DQ), 1980 world champion, 2nd place in the 2006 European Championship, Member of the Board of the Latvian Amateur Radio League
