Eriks Klavins, long-time MSO violinist

Eriks Klavins, a violinist in the Milwaukee Symphony from 1967 until 2005, died peacefully today (Friday, Aug.21).

During most of his tenure with the MSO, Klavins was prominent as the orchestra’s principal second violinist.

Robert Klavins, one of Eriks’ three children, wrote a charming biography to note his father’s passing. I am passing it along, with minimal editing:

Eriks Klavins was born in a displaced persons camp in Weiden , Germany, in 1945. His parents were Latvian refugees fleeing the Soviet invasion of the small Baltic Republic.

At the age of 4, Klavins’ parents moved to Southeastern Australia.After a time in refugee camps and multi-family settlements, the family bought a house in the gold mining town of Bendigo, where Klavins’ mother still lives.The family hunted rabbits for subsistence, for a time.

In return for their acceptance in and passage to Australia, his parents had to accept government jobs. His mother, Marianna, became Australia ’s first licensed female rabbit skinner. She finished her working days as a waitress at the Shamrock hotel and professional knitter. Klavins’ father, Elmars, cleaned outhouses before finding a job in a cotton mill. They still found the wherewithal for music lessons and to send their son to the Melbourne Conservatory.

After college, Klavins found few opportunities in his home country and took what he thought would be a short-term position touring with the North Carolina Symphony. In that orchestra, he met Arlene Gratz. The two friends joined the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra in 1967. In 1970 Arlene Gratz became Arlene Klavins.

Arlene and Eriks made their home in Whitefish Bay before moving to Mequon in 1997. Arlene left the symphony in 1969 and currently teaches K-8 orchestra in the Greendale School district . Both inspired a multitude of private students, many whom have gone on to successful music careers.

Due to an arm injury, Eriks stopped playing in the symphony in 2005 but continued to mentor privately. He also pursued his passion for hunting, fishing, birdwatching,  photography, stamp collecting, story telling, practical jokes and travel. In 2002, he was finally able to visit his native Latvia.

The Milwaukee area was a perfect fit for Klavins. He saw the MSO survive hard times and grow from its infancy to international prominence.

Eriks is survived by his wife, their three children, and his mother.The family will receive friends at Bayshore Lutheran Church , 1200 E. Hampton Road, Whitefish Bay,  on Wednesday, Aug. 26 from noon until 2:45 p.m. with funeral services, at 3 p.m.Burial will be private.

Memorials in Eriks’ name may be directed to the family for a violin scholarship fund to be established.