MAKSIS BRĒMS AND HIS PLACE IN LATVIAN MUSIC CRITICISM IN THE 1920s AND 1930

Abstract

This paper is dedicated to one of the most active music critics in Latvian music history – Maksis Brēms (real name Mārtiņš Bremmers) who worked in this field from 1920 to 1940. One could read his name in the newspaper Latvis, the monthly periodical Latvju Grāmata, and almost every issue of Latvijas Kareivis, and that is why researchers often encounter his conclusions about music life at that time, though the character of the author remains unknown. Through the research of his character, we find vital new information about musical life and overall cultural-political tendencies during Brēms’ life. The foundation of the paper is material about Brēms which is stored in the collection at the Literature and Music Museum in Riga – collections of his reviews, a few poems, as well his reminiscences of his own life and work. More material about Brēms’ life were also found at the State Archives of Latvia.