Mariss Jansons
- Born:
- 14 January 1943, Riga, Latvia
- Died:
- 30 November 2019, Saint Petersburg, Russia
- Nationality:
- Latvian
- Profession(s):
- Conductor
Early Life and Education
- Born to conductor Arvīds Jansons and singer Iraīda Jansone.
- Received early musical training from his father.
- Studied violin, viola, and piano at the Riga Conservatory.
- Continued studies at the Leningrad Conservatory (now Saint Petersburg Conservatory) with Evgeny Mravinsky.
- Also studied with Hans Swarowsky in Vienna and Herbert von Karajan in Salzburg.
Career and Major Achievements
- Assistant Conductor to Evgeny Mravinsky at the Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra.
- Music Director of the Oslo Philharmonic from 1979 to 2000.
- Principal Conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra from 1997 to 2004.
- Chief Conductor of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra from 2003 until his death in 2019.
- Chief Conductor of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra from 2004 to 2015.
- Conducted the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra at the Vienna New Year's Concert in 2006, 2012, and 2016.
- Known for his meticulous rehearsals and his commitment to achieving a high standard of performance.
Notable Works
Mariss Jansons was a prolific recording artist, leaving behind a significant discography.
| Orchestra | Record Label | Notable Recordings |
|---|---|---|
| Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra | BR Klassik | Complete Beethoven Symphonies, Shostakovich Symphonies |
| Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra | RCO Live | Mahler Symphonies, Richard Strauss Works |
Awards and Recognition
- Royal Philharmonic Society Gold Medal (2003)
- Gramophone Award for Orchestra of the Year (2004, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra)
- Ernst von Siemens Music Prize (2013)
- Echo Klassik Award for Conductor of the Year (2014)
- Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) (2015)
- Numerous other awards and accolades throughout his career.
Legacy and Impact
Mariss Jansons is remembered as one of the leading conductors of his generation, known for his interpretations of the core classical and romantic repertoire, particularly the works of Beethoven, Mahler, and Shostakovich. This concise account of his career, a 'mariss jansons biography', reflects his profound influence on orchestral music.