Arvīds Klišāns and the Preservation of the Latvian Horn Tradition

Presenter: Melisandra Teteris

Despite political turmoil and a revolving door of musicians, composers, and musicologists as a result of deportation or emigration, one musician has emerged and has become a champion of Latvian music. Arvīds Klišāns was principal hornist in the Latvian National Symphony for over fifty years, recorded seven solo albums along with countless other solo recordings, won many solo competitions in the Soviet Union, and led chamber music tours in order to help repair church organs throughout the country. In addition, he was the horn professor at the Jazeps Vitols Academy of Music and had over fifty students in his tenure at that school, most of which are now playing in many major orchestras of eastern Europe. Klišāns has been the inspiration for solo horn pieces which have been composed in Latvia and has played a large role in advocating this music, most of which is unpublished, through his students. Klišāns music is considered to be standard repertoire amongst Latvian horn players and has been passed down from generation to generation through copies of hand written works. In this presentation, I will discuss the importance of Arvīds Klišāns in the Latvian horn tradition and how this has transferred to the various generations of his students as well as to those who study with them. Through this oral history which also has a component of written, unpublished music, the Latvian horn tradition will continue to bloom even if the culture diminishes. Recordings and video of Klišāns as well as pieces written for him that are not recorded will also be a part of this presentation.