Dr Didzis Kalniņš is a Latvian pianist whose career spans solo performance, chamber music, education, and artistic research. Based in Ireland, he has appeared in recital across Europe and South America, performing in Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Latvia, Estonia, and Brazil. In 2023, he was awarded a Doctorate in Music Performance from Trinity College Dublin, marking a significant milestone in his artistic and scholarly contribution.

 

From 2018 to 2023, Didzis pursued full-time doctoral studies at the Royal Irish Academy of Music with Professors Therese Fahy and Denise Neary, focusing on performance-led research. He is an active member of the Society for Musicology in Ireland (SMI) and has presented lecture‑recitals at artistic research conferences both nationally and internationally. His current research explores the artistic possibilities of the sostenuto pedal, including the world premiere of Surfacing, a new commissioned work for sostenuto pedal by composer Rhona Clarke.

 

Alongside his performing career, Didzis is an experienced educator who has taught students from beginner level to Master’s-level conservatoire training. He has taught piano at the Royal Irish Academy of Music and, since 2019, has served on the panel of music examiners.

 

In recognition of his artistic achievements and contributions to musical life, Didzis received the Latvijas lepnums Īrijā 2023 award for Excellence in Music. Recent performance highlights include appearances at the 28th Latviešu Mūzikas Svētki (Latvia), the West Wicklow Chamber Music Festival, the Clifden Arts Festival, and the National Concert Hall, Dublin. He has also expanded his artistic work into musical theatre, serving as music director for Oliver! and Calamity Jane.

Looking ahead, Didzis is preparing for a major recording project featuring the piano music of Jānis Mediņš.