Content:

Pēteris Vasks
Plainscapes



Artists:
Latvian Radio Choir
Sigvards Klava, conductor

Genres:
Choral

Features:

Booklet with liner notes in English and the song texts in the original Latvian and in English

Format:
CD

Released:
January 2012

Catalogue No.:
ODE 1194-2

EAN/UPC Code:
0761195119426

Track listing

CD 71:28
Peteris Vasks (1946-)
1 The Tomtit’s Message (Ziles zina, 1981/2004) 9:34
Silent Songs (Klusas dziesmas, 1979/1992) 10:58
2 I. Nosapi parsapi 3:38
3 II. Dusi dusi 1:36
4 III. Tris mezi 3:08
5 IV. Paldies tev vela saule 2:35
6 Our Mother’s Names (Musu masu vardi, 1977/2003) 12:32
7 The Sad Mother (Skumja mate, 1980/91) 3:35
8 Summer (Vasara, 1978) 4:22
9 Plainscapes (Lidzenuma ainavas, 2002) 16:41
10 Small, Warm Holiday (Mazi, silti svetki, 1988) 1:27
11 Birth (Piedzimsana, 2008) 12:17



Also recommended...

Press review

(...) aina kun Latvian radiokuoron julkaisee levyn, kyseessä on merkkitapaus.
Kare Eskola, YLE Radio 1, 19.1.2012


Complete description

This CD presents a cross section of a cappella choral works by cult composer Pēteris Vasks, performed by the acclaimed Latvian Radio Choir under the direction of Sigvards Kļava.

Following on from their successful recording of liturgical Vasks compositions ("Beautifully performed, a rare outing for Vask's choral music" - Gramophone) (ODE 1106-2), the Latvian Radio Choir once again draws on the Baltic countries' extraordinary choir music tradition, focusing here on secular repertoire.

The title piece on this disc is Plainscapes, written in 2002 for mixed choir, solo violin (Sandis Šteinbergs) and solo cello (Guna Āboltiņa) on commission from violinist Gidon Kremer; meditating on the inspiring beauty of the Latvian lowlands, it uses vocalises to celebrate nature's cyclic miracles. The Sad Mother (1980/91) and Summer (1978) are written for female choir. In Birth (2008) a mixed choir, together with a solo percussion (Jānis Kokins), pays tribute to the sun as a symbol for life.

The present release features world premiere recordings of Our Mother's Names (1977/2003), The Sad Mother (1980/91), Summer (1978), and Small, Warm Holiday (1988).

Ondine's releases of Peteris Vasks' music have garnered several awards, including a 2004 Cannes Classical Disc of the Year Award for the Second Symphony (ODE 1005-2).