LU konference
The book is written in Latvian with a full English translation and includes some historical background and research on the development of this ancient instrument, as well as a guide to learn to play the KOKLE with diagrams, tunings, practical exercises, scores for Latvian songs and dances that can be played on the KOKLE. In addition this book includes a CD with tunings and audio-exercises for listening and playing along.
The author Valdis Muktupāvels is one of the key figures of folklore revival movement in Latvia, he has contributed to the revival of traditional musical instruments, and has promoted preservation and dissemination of the heritage at home and abroad. He is composer of choral, instrumental and film music, has recorded albums of kokle, bagpipe and traditional music.
If you are interested in learning to play the Latvan KOKLE and would like to purchase an instrument, we can help you to contact masters of building this instrument in Latvia.
„Valdis Muktupāvels is a master of kokles, a reasearcher and ethnomusicologist, a musician and composer and a diversified reviver of the old Latvian musical instrument. His book about kokles is concise, but abundant in facts. A splendid exploration of the instrument. All substantial aspecta of this specificē Latvian type of Baltic psaltery are reviewed. Historical, organological, pedagogical and artistical details go both to the roots and to the future.” Dr.Hannu Saha, Professor at the Sibelius Academy in Finland
This Project has been funded with support from the Latvian National Committee for UNESCO, the State Agency of Intangible Cultural Heritage, the State Culture Capital Foundation and the National Research Programme „Letonika”.
