Tālivaldis Ķeniņš (April 22, 1919 in Liepāja – January 20, 2008 in Toronto)[1][2] was a Canadian composer. He was forced to emigrate from Latvia when it fell under Soviet occupation after World War II, moving to Canada around 1951. He is credited by Canadian musicologist Paul Rapoport with having introduced many European idioms to Canadian art music. CBC Music described him as a "pioneering Canadian composer"[3] and The Canadian Encyclopedia described him as "one of Canada's most frequently commissioned composers."[1]
2012 Latvian postage stamp depicting Tālivaldis Ķeniņš
Ķeniņš was born in Latvia to parents who held prominent positions in Latvian cultural and political life.[4] His father, Atis Ķeniņš, was a lawyer, educator, diplomat, poet, translator, and politician who served as a government official and his mother, Anna, was a journalist and writer.[4] Later, the Soviet government would deport Ķeniņš's father.[4] As a child, he was known as "Tali."[4][5] He first began playing piano at the age of five, and his first compositions followed at age eight.[3][4][6]
Initially, Ķeniņš studied to be a diplomat at the Lycee Champollion in Grenoble, but moved to Riga between 1940 and 1944, studying composition and piano under Jāzeps Vītols.[6] In the time of World War II, amid the second Soviet occupation of Latvia, Ķeniņš was forced to emigrate.[4] He then studied at the Paris Conservatory under Tony Aubin, Olivier Messiaen and others from 1945 to 1951, and won first prize there for his Cello Sonata.[7] While living in Paris, he earned a living as a pianist by accompanying singers, playing in theatrical productions, and performing in dance bands.[4] He was the recipient of the Perilhou, Gouy d'Arcy and Halphen music prizes.[4] Upon graduating in 1950, he won the Grand Prix Laureate for his talent as a composer.[4] That same year, he received a scholarship from the UNESCO International Music Council, allowing him to pursue postgraduate work for a year.[4]
In the late 1940s and 1950s, Ķeniņš' artistry evolved, seeking to "reconcile the romanticism of his nature and the neoclassicism of a French training."[1]
Legacyedit
Canadian musicologist Paul Rapoport has credited Ķeniņš with introducing many European idioms to Canadian art music in an era when many of its composers remained solidly influenced by British models.[3][6]
Personal lifeedit
Ķeniņš married Valda Dreimane, who was also of Latvian descent.[4]
Rapoport, Paul. 1994. "The Piano Music of Talivaldis Kennins." SoundNotes. SN7:16-24.
External linksedit
Archival papers at University of Toronto Music Library
April 14, 2024
tālivaldis, Ķeniņš, april, 1919, liepāja, january, 2008, toronto, canadian, composer, forced, emigrate, from, latvia, when, fell, under, soviet, occupation, after, world, moving, canada, around, 1951, credited, canadian, musicologist, paul, rapoport, with, hav. Talivaldis kenins April 22 1919 in Liepaja January 20 2008 in Toronto 1 2 was a Canadian composer He was forced to emigrate from Latvia when it fell under Soviet occupation after World War II moving to Canada around 1951 He is credited by Canadian musicologist Paul Rapoport with having introduced many European idioms to Canadian art music CBC Music described him as a pioneering Canadian composer 3 and The Canadian Encyclopedia described him as one of Canada s most frequently commissioned composers 1 2012 Latvian postage stamp depicting Talivaldis kenins Contents 1 Early life and education 2 Career 2 1 Artistry 2 2 Legacy 3 Personal life 4 Works 5 References 6 External linksEarly life and education editkenins was born in Latvia to parents who held prominent positions in Latvian cultural and political life 4 His father Atis kenins was a lawyer educator diplomat poet translator and politician who served as a government official and his mother Anna was a journalist and writer 4 Later the Soviet government would deport kenins s father 4 As a child he was known as Tali 4 5 He first began playing piano at the age of five and his first compositions followed at age eight 3 4 6 Initially kenins studied to be a diplomat at the Lycee Champollion in Grenoble but moved to Riga between 1940 and 1944 studying composition and piano under Jazeps Vitols 6 In the time of World War II amid the second Soviet occupation of Latvia kenins was forced to emigrate 4 He then studied at the Paris Conservatory under Tony Aubin Olivier Messiaen and others from 1945 to 1951 and won first prize there for his Cello Sonata 7 While living in Paris he earned a living as a pianist by accompanying singers playing in theatrical productions and performing in dance bands 4 He was the recipient of the Perilhou Gouy d Arcy and Halphen music prizes 4 Upon graduating in 1950 he won the Grand Prix Laureate for his talent as a composer 4 That same year he received a scholarship from the UNESCO International Music Council allowing him to pursue postgraduate work for a year 4 Career editAround 1951 Kenins Septet was performed at the Darmstadt New Music Festival conducted by Hermann Scherchen that same year he moved to Canada and was named organist at the Latvian Lutheran St Andrews Church in Toronto In 1952 he began teaching at the University of Toronto where he taught for 32 years 7 Among his students were Tomas Dusatko Edward Laufer Walter Kemp Bruce Mather Ben McPeek Arturs Ozolins Imant Raminsh James Rolfe and Ronald Bruce Smith 6 Artistry edit In the late 1940s and 1950s kenins artistry evolved seeking to reconcile the romanticism of his nature and the neoclassicism of a French training 1 Legacy edit Canadian musicologist Paul Rapoport has credited kenins with introducing many European idioms to Canadian art music in an era when many of its composers remained solidly influenced by British models 3 6 Personal life editkenins married Valda Dreimane who was also of Latvian descent 4 Works editOrchestral8 Symphonies including No 1 1959 No 4 1972 No 6 Sinfonia ad Fugam 1978 No 7 1980 No 8 1986 12 Concertos including Concerto for Viola and Orchestra 1998 Concerto for Violin and Orchestra and Concerto for 14 Instruments Canzona Sonata for solo viola and string orchestra 1986 Beatae Voces Tenebrae for symphony orchestraChamber musicSonata for cello and piano 1950 Sonata No 1 for violin and piano 1955 Sonata No 2 for violin and piano 1979 Sonata for viola and piano 1995 Sonata for cello solo 1981 Adagio and Fugue for viola cello and organ 1985 Elegy and Rondo for viola and piano 1979 Fantasy Variations on an Eskimo Lullaby for flute and viola 1967 1972 Partita Breve for viola and piano 1971 2 piano quartets Septet 1951 Scherzo ConcertantePianoPiano Sonata No 1 1961 Sonata Fantaisie 1981 Piano Sonata No 3 1985 Sonata for 2 pianos 1988 Vocal3 cantatas 1 oratorioReferences edit a b c Talivaldis Kenins The Canadian Encyclopedia Kenins Talivaldis 1919 2008 Musica Baltica Retrieved 18 January 2017 a b c Music CBC CBC Music music cbc ca Retrieved 2016 06 15 a b c d e f g h i j k Talivaldis Kenins Biography Canadian Music Centre Centre de Musique Canadienne www musiccentre ca Retrieved 2016 06 15 Talivaldis Kenins Profilic sic composer exiled from Latvia in the Second The Independent 2008 02 11 Retrieved 2016 06 15 a b c d Canadian Composer Talivaldis Kenins Dies at 88 CBC January 23 2008 a b Talivaldis Kenins at the Canadian Encyclopedia Rapoport Paul 1994 The Piano Music of Talivaldis Kennins SoundNotes SN7 16 24 External links editArchival papers at University of Toronto Music Library Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Talivaldis kenins amp oldid 1159345187, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
