Indra Riše - About

Composer Indra Riše grew up in the small town of Dobele, Latvia, surrounded by nature, her childhood experiences having a crucial role in her creative process. She recalls long, sylvan walks with her mother through forests and meadows. As a child, Riše spent school holidays at a rural homestead in Durbe, not far from Liepāja, getting to know the beauty of the plants, birds, and animals around her, as well as their harmonious symbiosis. This bucolic lens has woven a prominent thread through both Riše’s personal life and creative work. In addition to her creative endeavors, Riše keeps a garden, tends forests, or simply takes in nature’s beauty through lengthy bike rides.

Education

Indra Riše graduated the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian State Conservatory at first as a pianist (1980 - 1985), and then as a composer (1986 - 1990) under professor Pēteris Plakidis. Riše continued her studies in composition at the Royal Danish Academy of Music (1993 - 1996) under Nils Rosing-Schow, as well as electro-acoustic composition under Ivar Frounberg. Courses in electronic music at the University of California, Berkeley (1995), IRCAM Summer Academy in Paris (1999), and the Academy of Opera, Oslo (2001) have all played a pivotal role in the composer’s education. Always interested in nature, its laws, and man’s role therein, Riše elected to study at the Baltic School of Astrology (2011 - 2014). In 2021 Riše enrolled in the newly formed professional doctoral study programme at the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music to create her Natura Siderum cycle for Organ+, theoretically expounding her creative process as her doctoral thesis. Riše received her Doctor of Arts (Artium Doctor) degree in 2025 under the guidance of her doctoral advisors, prof. Selga Mence and Ph.D. Diāna Zandberga.

Life and creativity

Her internationally refined talent has been showcased across a broad range of genres, from choral, chamber, and electronic works to symphonic and vocal symphonic scores. Riše’s eclectic compositions have been performed in various festivals, among them several ISCM (International Society of Contemporary Music) organized festivals in Sweden (2009), Croatia (2011), Hong Kong (2015), Korea (2016), Slovenia (2016), and the Faroe Islands (2024); international organ music festivals in Gothenburg; Multiple other contemporary music festivals across Scandinavia, Denmark, and Latvia; and in concerts throughout the Baltics, Scandinavia, Germany, Great Britain, Austria, The United States, Russia, Slovenia, Romania, Honk Kong, South Korea and elsewhere.

Indra Riše’s works have been performed by:

The Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, Liepāja Symphony Orchestra, Global Symphony Orchestra (Hong Kong), Slovenia Philharmonic Orchestra, Sinfonietta Rīga, Jelgava Chamber Orchestra, Ventspils Chamber Orchestra, Vidzeme Chamber Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra Sinfonia Concertante, Chamber Orchestra Kremerata Baltica.

Programmed by conductors:

Olari Elts, Imants Resnis, Māris Sirmais, Andris Veismanis, Andris Vecumnieks, Normunds Dreģis, Normunds Šnē, Kaspars Ādamsons, Normunds Vaics, Aigars Meri, Jessica Cottis, Ka Lok Mak, as well as a plethora of international chamber ensembles and soloists.

Riše has a notable catalogue of chamber and organ music, much of which has been recorded. Releasing three chamber albums: Music for Fun (Point records, 1998), Indra Riše – chamber music (Da Capo , 2000), A bit above the Earth (Skani, 2013) and one for organ: Trumpets of Angels (Skani, 2021).

Indra Riše has also devoted time to professional engagement: sitting as the Latvian ISCM section leader (2006-2013) and as chairman of the board for the Latvian Composers Union (2015-2017).