Kalninš, Alfreds
Kalninš, Alfreds
Kalninš, Alfreds, Latvian organist and composer, father of Janis Kalninš b. Zehsis, Aug. 23, 1879; d. Riga, Dec. 23, 1951. He studied at the St. Petersburg Cons. (1897–1901) with Homilius (organ) and Liadov (composition), then was organist in various Lutheran churches in Dorpat, Libau, and Riga. He gave recitals in Russia, and was also active as a teacher in Riga. From 1927 to 1933 he lived in N.Y. He then returned to Riga, where he taught at the Latvian Cons, and was its rector (1944–48). He wrote the first national Latvian opera, Banuta (Riga, May 29, 1920), as well as the operas Salinieki (The Islanders; Riga, 1925) and Dzimtenes atmoda (The Nation’s Awakening; Riga, Sept. 9, 1933). His other works include a symphonic poem, Latvia, some 100 choruses, piano pieces, about 200 songs, and arrangements of Latvian folk songs.
Bibliography
J. Vitolinś, A. K. (Riga, 1968).
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire