Kenins, Talivaldis - Symphonies Nos. 2, 3 & 7

The final part of Talivaldis Keninš's (1919–2008) first complete recorded symphony series. Keninš was one of the most significant Latvian and Canadian composers of the post-World War II era. This album contains three of the composer's eight numbered symphonies, performed by the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Andris Poga. Although Keninš was born in Latvia, he lived most of his life in exile. He was educated in Paris, where he studied under Tony Aubin and Olivier Messiaen and won several awards. Keninš moved to Canada in 1951 and became a respected teacher and highly influential figure in Canadian musical life. In addition to his eight symphonies, the composer also wrote 12 concertos. However, he also incorporated many concertante elements into his symphonies, and his second symphony, Sinfonia concertante (1967), composed for three wind instruments and symphony orchestra, is very close to a triple concerto. The symphony's extensive second movement is based on a lullaby of the indigenous Micmac people. Symphony No. 3 (1970) was completed a few years after its predecessor and represents a step forward in the composer's career as a symphonist. Here we encounter the idea of a lyrical hero who could be personified in the ears of the listener.