Imants Resnis, Celebrated Latvian Conductor, Dies at 76

Imants Resnis, a prominent Latvian conductor and long-time artistic director and principal conductor of the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra, passed away on February 27, 2026, at the age of 76. His death marks a significant loss for the Latvian music community.

A Legacy with the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra

Resnis dedicated much of his career to the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra (LSO), becoming its artistic director and principal conductor in 1992. The LSO, the oldest orchestra in the Baltic States, was founded in 1881. He played a pivotal role in shaping the orchestra’s artistic direction and fostering its growth.

Early Life and Career

Resnis first gained international recognition in 1988 with the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, performing at the Prague Spring festival. He was a recipient of the Latvian Grand Music Award in both 1995 and 2006, and the Latvian Music Award in 2007 for his contributions to Latvian music. In 2007, he was also awarded the Order of the Three Stars for his service to Latvia.

Founding the International Piano Stars Festival

In 1993, Resnis founded the International Piano Stars Festival in Liepāja, an annual event that brought together pianists from around the world during the second week of March. LSM English reports that the festival has become a cornerstone of Liepāja’s cultural landscape.

Final Moments and Remembrance

According to reports from the farewell ceremony, former archbishop Jānis Vanags shared that Resnis was attended by a priest in his final hours. Vanags described a poignant moment where, despite being unconscious, Resnis’s face showed a response. Resnis was remembered as a “happy person” who had a fortunate escape from deportation to Siberia as a child, thanks to his mother’s sister discovering the plans and hiding the family.

A Family Man and a Versatile Personality

Resnis was married to Margarita Pabērza in 1972 and had two daughters, Baiba and Ilze. He was a devoted family man, closely following the lives of his daughters and grandchildren. Vanags described Resnis as a man of diverse interests, comfortable in both formal settings and the countryside, embodying both elegance and practicality.

A Quiet Demeanor

Despite his prominence, Resnis was known for being reserved and avoiding interviews, often deflecting questions about his health with a joke: “The rumors about my death are greatly exaggerated.”

His passing was met with widespread mourning, with a large gathering of family, friends, and colleagues attending his farewell ceremony.