Latvian composers

[vandermolen]

Hmm, combing through this thread, the Ešenvalds piqued my interest. There's a live performance of the Visions of Arctic: Night available on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/v/1OBWbDbpzyo

I was expecting a dark, brooding piece, but there seems to be a lot more going on in the Arctic during the night! Quite enjoyable, the sombre middle part is beautiful.

I love that work and find it very moving. I think of the Northern Lights (which I have never seen) in that central section.

[Christo]

I have a similar experience with Ēriks Ešenvalds' recent (2014) Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis, which we (my choir) started singing, last week. One specific passage is haunting me for days already:
https://www.youtube.com/v/j2s9KujfmXM
(Actually I met him in person, but very superficially, five years ago in the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, at the occasion of a premiere of another new choral piece by him).

[SymphonicAddict]

This is land plenty of remarkable composers. I'm enjoying largely the Skulte's 5th right now. The Garuta will be worth listening too, so do the Esenvalds and Ivanovs.

[vandermolen]

Thought I'd promote this fine disc again:

[Scion7]

Never having been to the Baltic states, and not having any personal friends from Latvia (unless you count a few youthful indiscretions with bar nights - ahem), I was wondering if anyone here can state which composer is generally considered the 'greatest'?  While there are not dozens of them, the situation in Latvia IS different from, say, Enescu's in Romania.
I haven't found a definitive critical consensus in any of the literature I have on the subject.

[vandermolen]

I wrote to the Latvian Music Information Centre (they issue Skani recording) enquiring why one of Janis Ivanov's greatest symphonies, No.11, had never been released on CD (there is an old LP) when other Ivanovs symphonies have been recorded more than once (nos 5 and 20 for example). Here is the helpful reply I received today:

'Thank you for your interest in music by Jānis Ivanovs! It is our goal to release all symphonies by Jānis Ivnovs on our SKANi label, but the exact release schedule of these works depend on our partners Latvian National Symphony Orchestra. At the moment their concert hall The Great Guild in Riga is in renovation and recording process does not take place there. However, we will resume the work on the symphonic cycle as soon as that will be possible. Please keep posted,'

[Symphonic Addict]

Thanks for the info, Jeffrey. Very helpful.

The other day I was listening to his 9th Symphony and I thought it was a significantly strong and brooding piece. Some of his symphonies sound depressing, too anguished and unfocused to me, but others leave me very impressed.

[vandermolen]

Thanks for the info, Jeffrey. Very helpful.

The other day I was listening to his 9th Symphony and I thought it was a significantly strong and brooding piece. Some of his symphonies sound depressing, too anguished and unfocused to me, but others leave me very impressed.

Yes, I agree that they are variable Cesar, although I've been enjoying the recently released No.17. Off the top of my head I like the early ones like 3 - 5, 8, 11, 17 and 20 although, of course, I don't know them all.
Good to see you back here by the way. 

[Symphonic Addict]

Yes, I agree that they are variable Cesar, although I've been enjoying the recently released No.17. Off the top of my head I like the early ones like 3 - 5, 8, 11, 17 and 20 although, of course, I don't know them all.
Good to see you back here by the way. 

Thank you, Jeffrey! Much appreciated!

I'm eager to listen to the forthcoming releases to have a better appreciation of his symphonies. Both sound quality and interpretation in some of them don't show their real greatness.

[foxandpeng]

Rihards Dubra
Symphony 2
Atvars Lakstigala
Liepaja Symphony Orchestra
Skani

Not seen any advocacy for Rihards Dubra, but what a great symphony. This is expansive and beautiful. It isn't just Talivaldis Kenins, Imants Kalnins and Pēteris Vasks who are holding up the Latvians! I know I bleat on about them constantly.

I need to explore more Ivanovs.

[calyptorhynchus]

I came across this very beautiful lullaby by Lucija Garuta on YouTube:

After this I road-tested it on an actual baby (granddaughter aged 10 weeks). After listening to this she was very soothed and some Bach afterwards sent her straight to sleep.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

I came across this very beautiful lullaby by Lucija Garuta on YouTube:

After this I road-tested it on an actual baby (granddaughter aged 10 weeks). After listening to this she was very soothed and some Bach afterwards sent her straight to sleep.

Oh, sweet story!  And hope that you enjoy being a grandpa.    Congrats!

PD

[calyptorhynchus]

Oh, sweet story!  And hope that you enjoy being a grandpa.    Congrats!

PD

Thanks, my wife and I had two boys in the 90s, and now we have two granddaughters. With the boys and the older granddaughter I played them music a lot (of course in the 90s it was more difficult because you had to jump up and down to change CDs). Neither of the boys are classical fanatics like me; the elder granddaughter isn't mad keen on listening either (but she does like dancing and twirling). This younger one seems more receptive...

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Thanks, my wife and I had two boys in the 90s, and now we have two granddaughters. With the boys and the older granddaughter I played them music a lot (of course in the 90s it was more difficult because you had to jump up and down to change CDs). Neither of the boys are classical fanatics like me; the elder granddaughter isn't mad keen on listening either (but she does like dancing and twirling). This younger one seems more receptive...

Give them some time--including your sons.  Maybe take them to some concerts? 

PD

[vandermolen]

I came across this very beautiful lullaby by Lucija Garuta on YouTube:

After this I road-tested it on an actual baby (granddaughter aged 10 weeks). After listening to this she was very soothed and some Bach afterwards sent her straight to sleep.

She obviously has great taste! 

[kyjo]

Yesterday, I was pretty blown away by the 24 Dainas (Preludes) for piano by Latvian composer Jānis Mediņš (1890-1966):



These gloriously Romantic works are nearly on par with the finest solo piano works of Rachmaninoff or Medtner, which is high praise indeed! Mediņš' style is generally within the same passionately Slavic-Romantic orbit as the two aforementioned composers, overflowing with melody and lush harmonies. Some of the later Dainas incorporate Impressionistic textures and more exploratory harmonies. Really a fantastic cycle of pieces, adroitly played here by Jonathan Powell.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Yesterday, I was pretty blown away by the 24 Dainas (Preludes) for piano by Latvian composer Jānis Mediņš (1890-1966):



These gloriously Romantic works are nearly on par with the finest solo piano works of Rachmaninoff or Medtner, which is high praise indeed! Mediņš' style is generally within the same passionately Slavic-Romantic orbit as the two aforementioned composers, overflowing with melody and lush harmonies. Some of the later Dainas incorporate Impressionistic textures and more exploratory harmonies. Really a fantastic cycle of pieces, adroitly played here by Jonathan Powell.

Sounds intriguing!

PD

[relm1]

Yesterday, I was pretty blown away by the 24 Dainas (Preludes) for piano by Latvian composer Jānis Mediņš (1890-1966):



These gloriously Romantic works are nearly on par with the finest solo piano works of Rachmaninoff or Medtner, which is high praise indeed! Mediņš' style is generally within the same passionately Slavic-Romantic orbit as the two aforementioned composers, overflowing with melody and lush harmonies. Some of the later Dainas incorporate Impressionistic textures and more exploratory harmonies. Really a fantastic cycle of pieces, adroitly played here by Jonathan Powell.

Whoa!  Never heard of this composer but am very intrigued.  Will explore him.

[foxandpeng]

Advocating for Tālivaldis Ķeniņs this morning. Fine set of 8 symphonies written in an accessible and solid style.

Symphony 2 just now has a lovely tune in the second movement that showcases his talent. Recommended.