PRANIS, Guntars (LAT)

Guntars Pranis is an experienced performer and conductor, an internationally recognised musicologist and researcher of early music. He wrote his dissertation about the sacred music tradition of medieval Riga in the context of various different local musical practices. He has continued his professional development in early music studies under the guidance of distinguished experts in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. As part of his research, Pranis has also spent several months in Benedictine monasteries. He is recognised not only as the early music expert in Latvia but is also in demand internationally as a lecturer and teacher of masterclasses.

He is the founder and artistic director of Schola Cantorum Riga ­– internationally renowned group of early music, touring regularly throughout Europe and widely knowned with its recordings and experimental music projects which includes Medieval, Renaissance, Barock and contemporary repertoires. 

Pranis regularly leads and takes part in a variety of music projects as a conductor, singer and hurdy gurdy musician. He participates in the Latvian Song Festival movement and was the artistic director of the I am... sacred music concert at the 2023 General Latvian Song and Dance Festival with soloists, symphony orchestra and joint choir of 1200 singers.

Guntars Pranis is a professor at the Latvian Academy of Music and has been the rector of the academy from 2017-2024.

He has been connected with Crescendo International movement over many years and has led the Latvian ministry from 1997-2017. During this time Guntars Pranis organized many projects of evangelistic concerts and Creative Church services.