“We would never have had a composer like Tālivaldis Ķeniņš if he had remained in Latvia after the Second World War. Paris is what sets him apart from other composers of that time, and we can hear this highest temper in every one of his scores – including those included on the disc, “says music reviewer Orest Silabriedis.
The range of genres and compositions represented in the works of composer Tālivalža Ķeniņa (1919-2008) is very wide, but the number of works immortalized in the recordings is relatively small, therefore the Latvian Music Information Center and the recording company SKANi this number is supplemented by the publication of recordings of three symphonic works recorded this summer with the support of the Ministry of Culture from state funds for unforeseen events.
The new album has been recorded by the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of conductor Andris Poga. It includes: Concerto for five percussionists and orchestra (soloists – Mikus Bāliņš, Elvijs Endelis, Elīna Endzele, Guntars Freibergs and Ernests Mediņš); Violin concert (solo – Eva Bindere), as well as a composition Our voices darkness for symphony orchestra.
Although born in Latvia, Tālivaldis Ķeniņš is also considered his composer in Canada. After studying composition at the Latvian Conservatory under Jāzeps Vītols, at the end of the Second World War Ķeniņš went to Paris. There he continued his musical education at the Paris Conservatory (National Superior Conservatory of Music and Dance of Paris), which has always been his long-awaited dream. He later emigrated to Canada, where he became one of the most prominent composers, educators and musicians. Former professor at the University of Toronto and president of the Canadian Composers’ League. He founded the Toronto Latvian Concert Association and, until Latvia regained its independence in 1991, was one of the first exile composers to work actively to restore cultural ties with the homeland. In 1995, Tālivaldis Ķeniņš was awarded the title of Officer of the Order of the Three Stars, and in 2005 the composer received the Grand Music Award for Lifetime Achievement.
The album is available today in CD format and on all popular music download and streaming platforms around the world.
This is already the 46th album by the publisher SKANi has been launching since its inception in 2014.
SKANi is the only music publishing house in Latvia with an extensive network of international distributors. Thanks to cooperation with partners in the USA, the Netherlands and the UK, SKANi The Latvian music CDs released in 2006 are sold in 80 countries around the world, as well as on digital music platforms Spotify, iTunes, Amazon Prime and other. Last year SKANi the albums reached an audience of 300,000 listeners. SKANi is a brand of the Latvian Music Information Center, which operates thanks to the support of the SCCF and the Ministry of Culture.
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