Pēteris Plakidis

Pēteris Plakidis was a renowned Latvian composer and pianist born on March 4, 1947, in Riga. He studied music theory and composition at the Emīls Dārziņš College of Music and furthered his education in the Composition Department at the Jāzeps Vītols State Conservatory, graduating in 1970. During his studies, Plakidis served as a pianist for the Riga Pantomime, an experience that likely influenced his approach to music. After graduating, he held roles such as the musical director for the Latvian National Theatre from 1969 to 1974 and later became a professor of composition at the Latvian Academy of Music. Plakidis was highly praised for his compositions, earning several prestigious awards, including the Latvian Grand Music Award for "Variations for Orchestra" in 1996.

Throughout his career, Plakidis balanced his roles as a composer, academic, and performer, leaving a lasting impact on Latvian music. Some of his notable works include "Music for Piano, String Orchestra and Timpani," which earned him recognition at the All-Union Young Composers' Competition in 1969. His contributions to Latvian music culture are still celebrated today, even after his passing on August 8, 2017.

**Recent Releases:** While specific recent releases like "Nolemtība," "Eternity," and "Mūžība" are associated with him, these do not necessarily represent his entire discography or artistic spectrum.