Mārtiņš Brauns | |
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 Brauns in 2015 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | (1951-09-17)17 September 1951[1] |
| Died | 24 November 2021(2021-11-24) (aged 70) Riga, Latvia |
| Occupation(s) | Composer musician |
| Instrument(s) | Synthesizer Piano Vocal Guitar Harmonica[1] |
| Years active | 1968–2021[1] |
Mārtiņš Brauns (17 September 1951 – 24 November 2021) was a Latvian composer and musician.
He composed multiple pieces, most notable of which isSaule, Pērkons, Daugava, a choir song regularly performed at theLatvian Song and Dance Festival.
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Brauns studied at theEmīls Dārziņš Music School from 1958 to 1970, studying piano andchoir, before moving on to study conducting andmusic theory after his voice startedchanging.[1] He then studied at theJāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music between 1970 and 1976.[2]
From 1975 to 1986, he led the rock bandSīpoli [lv].[1] From 1986 and until his death, Brauns was a member of the Latvian Filmmakers Union and has composed music for various films.[3]
In addition to film scores, Brauns wrote and composed multiple pieces for varioustheatre plays. His most famous piece, written in the late 1980's for theValmiera Drama Theatre, titledSaule, Pērkons, Daugava, of which the lyrics are based on the poemDaugava by Latvian poetRainis; this song has been performed regularly at theLatvian Song and Dance Festival since 1990, and is even considered the unofficial anthem of the festival.[4]In 2014, an adapted version of the song with lyrics byCatalan poetMiquel Martí i Pol became the official anthem of theCatalan independence movement.[5][6]
Brauns was recovering from a heart attack at a hospital when he contractedCOVID-19. He died on 24 November 2021, at the age of 70.[7][8]
In 2001, Brauns received an award from theMinistry of Culture of Latvia [lv] for his "bright creative contribution to the enrichment of Latvian culture" in his work with his albumSapnis par Rīgu.[1][9] The album also won aGrawemeyer Award in a world music competition for works composed between 2001 and 2004.[1]
On 3 May 2018, Brauns was made Officer of theOrder of the Three Stars, the highest civilian order in Latvia.[10]
In 2019, Brauns received theGolden Microphone Lifetime Contribution Award for his work to enhance Latvian culture.[11]
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