Kokle Ensemble “TEIKSMA”

Kokle Ensemble “TEIKSMA” was founded in 1955 as part of the artistic groups of the former Latvian Republican Trade Union Council Cultural Centre, now known as Mazā Ģilde. Its first Artistic Director was Tamāra Jansone (1927–1972). Initially, the ensemble consisted of amateur kokle players and folk musicians, but over time it welcomed graduates of music schools, secondary music schools, and, more recently, the Latvian Academy of Music.

During the 1950s and 1960s, the ensemble became one of Latvia’s most beloved performers, presenting programmes centred on Latvian folk songs at a time when Soviet musical culture dominated public life. In 1966, the ensemble gained national recognition at the first Folk Instrument Orchestra Competition. In 1975, it was awarded the honorary title of People’s Ensemble for its active concert work and officially adopted the name “TEIKSMA”.

Following Tamāra Jansone’s passing, the ensemble was directed by Anita Vanaga (1972–1980), during which time it began touring internationally, performing in Finland, Bulgaria, and Italy. Since 1980, the ensemble was led for many years by Teiksma Jansone. In the autumn of 2023, the Artistic Director’s role was taken over by Kristīne Dmitrijeva.

Since 1970, the ensemble has participated in every Latvian Song and Dance Festival, becoming a permanent member of the united kokle ensemble. Today, its home is the Kokle Department of Jāzeps Mediņš Riga 1st Music School, while administratively the ensemble has returned to its original home at Mazā Ģilde.

The ensemble’s repertoire combines Latvian folk music, classical arrangements, and original contemporary compositions. Alongside modern concert kokles, performances often feature traditional nine-string kokles, wooden flutes, percussion instruments, bells, and vocal singing, creating an authentic and distinctive sound. Original works have been composed for the ensemble by numerous Latvian composers, while several ensemble members have also created their own folk song arrangements.

TEIKSMA has collaborated with the early music ensemble CANTO, flautist Olga Ridzevska, percussionist Aleksandrs Jalaņeckis, singer Ieva Parša, and the early music ensemble Inégalité Mystique. Since 1996, the ensemble has organised annual Christmas concerts in Riga’s churches, museums, and concert halls, including a long-standing collaboration with the Riga Art Nouveau Museum.

The ensemble has performed extensively throughout Europe and beyond, including in Estonia, Lithuania, Germany, Poland, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Portugal, Spain, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Turkey, Russia, Japan, South Africa, and Canada. Among its international achievements are Second Prize at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in Wales (1997), recognition at an international competition in Johannesburg, South Africa, and participation in the Canadian Latvian Song Festival in Hamilton (2014).

The ensemble has released several recordings, including the albums Gadskārtu ritmos (1999), 99 kokles Jāņos (2007), Sviests IV (2011), and Brīvdiena (2014), as well as numerous recordings for Latvian Radio. In 2006, the ensemble’s Artistic Director received the White Sparrow Award from the Riga City Council for outstanding contribution to culture.

TEIKSMA also has a junior ensemble, ensuring that its kokle-playing traditions continue to be passed on to future generations.