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Songs of the Orphan Girl
Antra Bigaca (mezzo-soprano); Alvars Krancmanis (bass); Chamber Choir Versija; Latvian National Opera Orchestra; Andrejs Jansons (conductor)
Peteris Aldins, composer
The Spring Cycle
Sandra Steinberga (soprano); Biesturs Andrelka (tenor); Chamber Choir Versija; Latvian National Opera Orchestra; Andrejs Jansons (conductor)
Longins Apkalns, composer
Burial Songs
Chamber Choir Versija; Latvian National Opera Orchestra; Andrejs Jansons (conductor)
Imants Kalnins, composer
Brother, My Brother
Alars Krancmanis (bass); Chamber Choir Versija; Latvian National Opera Orchestra; Andrejs Jansons (conductor)
Haralds Berino, composer
On the Mountain of Souls
Liga Drozda (soprano); Latvian Radio Choir; Chamber Choir Consum; Chamber Choir Versija; Latvian National Opera Orchestra; Andrejs Jansons (conductor)
"…Conductor Andrejs Jansons has long been a great advocate for Latvian concert music. Here, he leads performances that are brimming with conviction and enthusiasm. The various choruses sing marvelously, with a pure, beautiful tone, and the Latvian National Opera Orchestra is excellent as well.…" (Fanfare)
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The strong choral tradition of Latvia is underscored by these five cantatas.
This is a recording of five cantatas written by 20th century Latvian composers, some of whom grew up outside of Latvia, while othrs lived under the Soviet regime. From the forced emigration of 1944 up until 1988, when the Iron Curtain started to collapse, composers living outside Latvia were omitted from the music history books of the Soviet Union. They were treated as invisible, despite the fact that for more than 40 years they created a significant number of important works. After Latvia regained its independence, there was an opportunity to introduce these works to Latvian audiences. The music on this recording was written beteen 1960 and 1980, at a time when Latvians around the world, although in foreign lands, felt open and free, but Latvians living in their homeland felt oppressed and morally humiliated. In addition to the four cantatas composed by Latvians living outside Latvia, the work of Imants Kalnins, who was living in Latvia, is included as it was composed at a time when the stirrings of overcoming the Soviet Union were in the air.Contents:
Imants Mezaraups, composerSongs of the Orphan Girl
Antra Bigaca (mezzo-soprano); Alvars Krancmanis (bass); Chamber Choir Versija; Latvian National Opera Orchestra; Andrejs Jansons (conductor)
Peteris Aldins, composer
The Spring Cycle
Sandra Steinberga (soprano); Biesturs Andrelka (tenor); Chamber Choir Versija; Latvian National Opera Orchestra; Andrejs Jansons (conductor)
Longins Apkalns, composer
Burial Songs
Chamber Choir Versija; Latvian National Opera Orchestra; Andrejs Jansons (conductor)
Imants Kalnins, composer
Brother, My Brother
Alars Krancmanis (bass); Chamber Choir Versija; Latvian National Opera Orchestra; Andrejs Jansons (conductor)
Haralds Berino, composer
On the Mountain of Souls
Liga Drozda (soprano); Latvian Radio Choir; Chamber Choir Consum; Chamber Choir Versija; Latvian National Opera Orchestra; Andrejs Jansons (conductor)
Review:
"This is fascinating from an historical point of view as well as a musical one.…It is so good and refreshing to see that gems such as this disc are still being released, and that archival material which deserves an airing is getting it.…" (Fanfare)"…Conductor Andrejs Jansons has long been a great advocate for Latvian concert music. Here, he leads performances that are brimming with conviction and enthusiasm. The various choruses sing marvelously, with a pure, beautiful tone, and the Latvian National Opera Orchestra is excellent as well.…" (Fanfare)