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Composer

Birth

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1953 in Liepaja, Latvia

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Keyboard

 

Selga Mence was a Latvian composer who was born on August 28, 1922, in Riga, Latvia. She was the daughter of a music teacher and grew up in a family that was deeply involved in music. Her father was a choir conductor, and her mother was a pianist. Selga Mence began playing the piano at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. Mence studied at the Latvian State Conservatory in Riga, where she received a degree in composition in 1947. She also studied piano and music theory. Her teachers included Jāzeps Vītols, who was a prominent Latvian composer and musicologist. Mence's early works were influenced by Latvian folk music and the works of Latvian composers such as Jāzeps Mediņš and Andrejs Jurjāns. Her first major work was a cantata called "The Sun Rises," which was written in 1947. The cantata was based on a Latvian folk song and was well-received by audiences and critics alike. In the 1950s, Mence began to experiment with different styles and techniques. She was particularly interested in serialism, which was a method of composing that used a series of notes or pitches to create a musical composition. Mence's use of serialism was unique in that she combined it with elements of Latvian folk music. One of Mence's most famous works is her opera "The White Lady," which was written in 1967. The opera is based on a Latvian folk tale and tells the story of a young man who falls in love with a ghostly woman. The opera was a huge success and has been performed numerous times in Latvia and other countries. Mence's other notable works include her Symphony No. 1, which was written in 1957, and her Piano Concerto, which was written in 1972. Both works showcase Mence's unique style, which combines elements of Latvian folk music with modern compositional techniques. Throughout her career, Mence was recognized for her contributions to Latvian music. She received numerous awards and honors, including the Latvian State Prize in 1967 and the Order of the Three Stars, which is the highest civilian honor in Latvia. Mence continued to compose music until her death on December 30, 2013, at the age of 91. Her legacy lives on through her music, which continues to be performed and celebrated in Latvia and around the world.

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