Mariss Jansons

Latvian Conductor and Renowned Orchestra Leader

Mariss Jansons was a renowned Latvian conductor, celebrated for his profound interpretations and charismatic leadership in classical music. Born on January 14, 1943, in Riga, Latvia, he grew up in a musical family; his father, Arvīds Jansons, was also a conductor. Mariss Jansons studied at the Leningrad Conservatory (now the Saint Petersburg Conservatory) and later under the tutelage of famed Austrian conductor Herbert von Karajan. Over his illustrious career, Jansons led many prestigious orchestras, including the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam. He was particularly admired for his performances of Russian and Germanic repertoire, bringing emotional depth and clarity to the works of composers such as Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich, Mahler, and Brahms. His recordings with various orchestras have been critically acclaimed and have won numerous awards. Mariss Jansons passed away on December 1, 2019, leaving behind a legacy as one of the leading conductors of his generation.