The Light of Christmas: Latvian Cantatas of the Christmas Season
New York Latvian Concert Choir
This recording continues the tradition of the New York Latvian Concert Choir soon after its founding in 1975 of commissioning cantatas for their annual holiday concerts. The music presented on this CD, all new works by Latvian composers, is written in a great variety of styles, uniting the worlds of Latvian folklore and Christianity--that of Valdis Zilveris is written in a romantic tradition with simple, memorable melodies; while Ingmars Zemzaris has used a neo-baroque style; Ilona Rupaines' is much more complicated, intertwining folkloric and Christian worlds; and Larkis Lacis employs jazz harmonies but not jazz rhythms. This is the third recording of Latvian music for the Christmas season by the New York Latvian Concert Choir.
Stream/Buy
Choose your platform
Track Listing
| Title | Composer | Performer |
|---|---|---|
| Starlit Christmas | Valdis Zilveris | Laila Liepina Southard, soprano; Elina Seile, mezzo-soprano; Nauris Indzeris, baritone; Youth Choir Balsis; Chamber Choir Fortius; Childrens Choir Sono; New York Latvian Concert Choir; Latvian National Opera Chamber Orchestra; Laura Padega Zamura, conductor |
| Immanuel, O God Most High | Ingmars Zemzaris | Laila Liepina Southard, soprano; Elina Seile, mezzo-soprano; Youth Choir Balsis; Chamber Choir Fortius; Childrens Choir Sono; New York Latvian Concert Choir; Latvian National Opera Chamber Orchestra; Andrejs Jansons, conductor |
| Our Lady's Lily Garden | Ilona Rupaine | Nauris Indzeris, baritone; Youth Choir Balsis; Chamber Choir Fortius; Childrens Choir Sono; New York Latvian Concert Choir; Latvian National Opera Chamber Orchestra; Andrejs Jansons, conductor |
| Christmas Cantata | Karlis Lacis | Laila Liepina Southard, soprano; Youth Choir Balsis; Chamber Choir Fortius; Childrens Choir Sono; New York Latvian Concert Choir; Latvian National Opera Chamber Orchestra; Andrejs Jansons, conductor |
Reviews
- “
"All the singers, various choirs and orchestral musicians involved combine forces and uncover the music's restrained and hidden charms..."
*Album cover provided for Editorial use only. ©Albany Records. The Albany Imprint is a registered trademark of PARMA Recordings LLC. The views and opinions expressed in this media are those of the artist and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views and opinions held by PARMA Recordings LLC and its label imprints, subsidiaries, and affiliates.