Talivaldis Kenins

Biography

Sample Works

Born in Liepaja, Latvia in 1919, Talivaldis Kenins was a child of parents

eminent in the cultural and political life of that country. His father,

Atis-a lawyer, educator, diplomat, politician, minister of Education and

Justice-was also a poet and translator, while his mother, Anna, was a noted

writer and journalist. Raised in this milieu, young "Tali" started piano

studies at age five and his first compositions were written when he was

eight.

He pursued formal education at the College de Menton and Lycée de Grenoble,

France, where he received his "Bachelier des lettres" in 1939. He then

pursued composition at the State Conservatory in Riga under Joseph Wihtol,

but was forced to leave Latvia by the second Soviet occupation following

World War II. He returned to France, and in 1945 entered the Conservatoire

National Superieur de Paris, where his teachers included Simone

Plé-Caussade, Tony Aubin and Olivier Messiaen. The student composer

supported himself in postwar Paris by accompanying vocalists, serving as

pianist for theatrical productions, and playing in dance bands. Despite

these financial challenges, Kenins completed all course requirements,

received the Perilhou, Gouy d'Arcy and Halphen music prizes, and graduated

in 1950 with the "Grand Prix Laureate" in composition. Also in 1950, he was

awarded a scholarship by the UNESCO International Music Council (which

permitted a full-year of postgraduate work), and Herman Scherchen conducted

his Septet (1949) at the Darmstadt New Music Festival later the same year.

Following his marriage to compatriot Valda Dreimane, Kenins moved to Canada

in 1951 to assume duties as organist and music director at St. Andrews

Latvian Lutheran Church in Toronto. He joined the Faculty of Music at the

University of Toronto the following year, teaching composition and

contrapuntal techniques. Kenins was appointed full professor in 1973, and

served as co-ordinator of the composition division between 1977-79. Among

his many talented students are Edward Laufer, Walter Kemp, Bruce Mather,

Imant Raminsh, and Arthur Ozolins as well as younger composers Tomas

Dusatko, James Rolfe and Ronald Smith.

In addition to his academic duties, Kenins has been very active in Canada's

professional musical life. He founded the Latvian Concert Association of

Toronto in 1959, was an active member of the Canadian League of Composers

for many years (and its president in 1973-4), and has lectured on

contemporary music and Canadiana at institutions, conferences and symposia

around the world.

Kenins is the author of a great many works of chamber music as well as eight

symphonies, twelve concertos, three cantatas, an oratorio, choral works and

a number of educational pieces. The clarity of his musical expression and

consistency of his craft have resulted in Talivaldis Kenins becoming one of

our most commissioned and performed composers. His music has been included

on numerous national and international festivals and he has been the

recipient of many honours. Invested with the Champollion Silver Medal

(Grenoble), created Officer of the National Three-Star Order of the Republic

of Latvia, named Professor Emeritus by the University of Toronto after 32

years of distinguished teaching, appointed an Honourary Professor by the

Music Academy of Latvia, Talivaldis Kenins became the subject of a film

documentary prepared in 1990 by the Latvian Radio and Television Services.

In 1989, a four-CD set devoted to Kenins' music was released by RCI as part

of its Anthology of Canadian Music series.

In tribute to Kenins on his 75th anniversary, a major biography of the

composer, written by Dr. Ingrida Zemzare, was published by Gara Pupa

Editions in Latvia.

2002

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