Talivaldis Kenins Dies

Posted by Sarah Canice Funke Jan 26, 2008

Canadian composer Talivaldis Kenins passed away in Toronto on January 22, 2007. Canadian musicologist Paul Rapoport observes that Kenins entered the Canadian classical music scene at a time when Canada was largely dependent on her parent country Great Britain for inspiration. Kenins' central European aesthetic, then, was a distinct voice in 1950s Canada.

This fluency in central European music is no surprise, however, as Kenins was born in Latvia in 1919. In addition, his education also left its mark on his compositional style. Kenins' study at the College de Menton and Lycée de Grenoble, France (where he obtained a "Bachelier des lettres" in 1939) provided him training in neo-classicism.

After completing his studies in France, Kenins returned to Latvia, but only briefly: after WWII, Soviet occupation of Latvia compelled Kenins to flee back to France. After marrying Latvian Vlada Dreimane, Kenins moved with his wife to Canada in 1951, where he became a naturalized citizen in 1956.

Kenins' more notable compositions include his Second Piano Quartet, Concerto for 14 Instruments and Symphony No. 4. He served on the music faculty at the University of Toronto and founded the Latvian Concert Association of Toronto in 1959.

For more information, please read CBC News or La Scena Newswire.