Background
Volfgangs Dārziņš was born in 25. His father was famous Latvian composer Emīls Dārziņš.
Volfgangs Dārziņš was born in 25. His father was famous Latvian composer Emīls Dārziņš.
He studied composition in Latvian conservatory under Jāzeps Vītols and graduated in 1929. Later he continued studies in conservatories piano class which he graduated in 1934.
September, 1906 in Riga. He got the name Volfgangs in honour to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. In 1933 Dārziņš participated in VIII Latvian National song festival where several of his Latvian folk song arrangements was acclaimed.
He also worked for several Latvian newspapers as music critic.
Overall he has published more than 1000 articles During this time he also became known for extensive research into Latvian folk music, mapping the distribution of many folksongs.
In 1944 he emigrated to Germany and lived in main Latvian displaced persons centerEsslingen. In 1950 he relocated to United States of America and until 1955 worked as a teacher in Spokane conservatory.
He also worked in a music school of a University of Washington and was a conductor of several church choirs.
Also he continued to perform as a pianist and made several concert tours through the country. Most notable performance was in Carnegie Hall, New York in 1954. The Andreassen began performing Darzin’s songs in memorial concerts after 1962.
Volfgangs Dārziņš died in Seattle, on 24 June 1962.
Volfgangs Dārziņš is best known for his ability to include folk motives into classical music He has made more than 200 Latvian folk song arrangements for piano and voice and also for symphonic orchestra.
Also he has written two piano concerts and several suites. He developed a strong original style, influenced to some degree by Bartok and Stravinsky.
His compositions are in three categories: piano, solo vocal and choral.