Kalnins, Imants

views updated

Kalninś, Imants

Kalninś, Imants, significant Latvian composer; b. Riga, May 26, 1941. He studied composition with A. Skulte at the Latvian Cons, in Riga, graduating in 1964. In 1959 he directed the choral organization Lachplesis in Lielvarde, then was pianist for a pantomime group in Riga (1962–64) and taught music in Liepaja and later at the Latvian Cons. (1973–80). About 1980 he turned his attention mostly to rock music. His output is innovative, fusing a diversity of styles; his 4th Sym. is scored for jazz ensemble and orch.

Works

dramatic:opera:Is There Anyone Here? (1971); J Play, I Dance (1977). operetta:Quo Vadis My Guitar? (1971). orch.: Cello Concerto (1963); 4 syms. (1964, 1965, 1968, 1972); Concerto (1966). chamber:Toccata for Cello and Piano (1962); Viola Sonata (1962); Piano Sonata (1962). vocal:Oratorios: In October (1967); The Poet and the Mermaid (1973); Morning Drudgery (1977).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire