Address:
Gertrudes iela 20-7, Riga LV-1011 Latvia Telephone: +371 2273712

Secondary education at the Jazeps Medins High School of Music (three years composition and theory)

Jazeps Vitols Latvian State Conservatory (1955-1958), Diploma,

Conservatory Composition Class (1958-1963)

Professional qualification: composer, pedagogue

Employed in 1962 as teacher of composition and theory at the Jazeps Medins High School of Music; currently Assistant Professor at the Latvian Academy of Music.

Member of the Latvian Composers' Union since 1985.

LIST OF COMPOSITIONS

• 50 symphonic Latvian folk song arrangements
• 4 symphonies
• 5 concertos
• 2 symphonic poems
• Various compositions, including miniatures, choral arrangements

Total of 1,400 works

PUBLISHED COLLECTIONS

• "Kokles skola" - The (Latvian ancient string instrument) Kokle School, publ.1977 by Emils Melngailis Folk Art Centre
• "Mes dvini balelini" - Nine Brothers We, publ. 1987 by  Ministry of Culture Education Resource Branch
• "Nac ar mani sakoklet" - Come Play The Kokle With Me, publ. 1988 by Emils Melngailis Folk Art Centre
• "Dziediet meitas, manu dziesmu" - Sing My Song, Girls, publ. 1990 by Emils Melngailis Folk Art Centre
• "Skandarbi kokletaju ansambliem - Music For Kokle Ensembles, publ. 1988 by Ministry of Culture Resource Branch
• "Dziesmas berniem (100)" - 100 Songs For Children, publ. 1991 by publishing house "Sanda"
• "Dziesmas vokalajiem ansambliem, 2 dalas" - Songs For Vocal Ensembles, Parts 1 and 2, publ. 1992, 1994 by publishing house "Latvju kultura"
• "Apstigoju zelta kokli, 2 dalas" - Stringing A Golden Kokle, Parts 1 and 2, published 1993, 1994 by publishing house "Latvju kultura"
• "Latvju tautas dziesmu apdares vokalajiem ansambliem un klavierem" - Latvian Folk Song Arrangements For Vocal Groups and Piano, publ. 1994 by publishing house "Latvju kultura"
• "Akordeonam 100 tautas dziesmu apdares" - 100 Folk Song Arrangements for the Accordeon, publ. 1994 by publishing house "Latvju kultura"
• "Latvju tautas dziesmu apdares un originaldarbi flautei un klavierem" - Latvian Folk Song Arrangements and Original Works For Flute And Piano, publ. 1995 by publishing house "Latvju kultura"
• "Aicinajums" - Invitation, Original Music For Solo Kokle, publ. 1995 by publishing house "Latvju kultura"
• "Instrumentala muzika flautei un klarnetei" - Instrumental Music For Flute and Clarinet", publ. 1996 by publishing house "Latvju kultura"
• "Zelta kokle, 1. dala" - The Golden Kokle, Part 1, publ. 1997 by publishing house "Latvju kultura"
• "Skandarbi kokletaju ansambliem - Music For Kokle Ensembles, publ. 1998 by Emilis Melngailis Folk Art Centre
• "Zelta kokle, 2. dala" - The Golden Kokle, Part 2, publ. 1999 by publishing house "Latvju kultura"
• Other Salaks' works published by the following companie: "Liesma", "Zvaigzne", "Solvita", "Muzika" and "Sovjetskij Compozitor"

DISCOGRAPHY:  

Songs on vinyl LP's

• Kokle ensembles "Sparite", "Zilite", "Austrina", "Teiksma", "Ramava", Jurmala Music School Kokle Group
• "Kas tie tadi, kas dziedaja":  Tenor Janis Sprogis and the kokle ensemble "Sparite"

Songs on CD and cassette formats

"Es skaistu rozi zinu" International Christmas folk songs and arrangements. Tenor Janis Sprogis, kokle quartet "Karta" and brass ensemble
"Ligo dziesmas" - Midsummer Night Songs. Concert choir "Ave Sol", kokle ensemble "Teiksma", conducted by Imants Kokars "Dzitari" - A collection of Latvian folk song arrangements for kokle ensembles (cassette)

Review

Vilnis Salaks has made a professionally valuable, artistically striking contribution. The son of noted Latvian folk music specialist and composer Arturs Salaks (1891-1984), he was raised in his father's musical traditions ... He is one the most knowledgable Latvian folk music experts, with particular accent on the string instrument, kokle. Salaks' kokle, vocal and instrumental arrangements are rich and colorful and easily accessible for the "average player". Following in the diatonic footsteps of his father and (Latvian) composers Melngailis and Graubins, he does not merely re-create traditional music, but develops it further ...

Prof. Olgerts Gravitis,
Latvian Academy of Music