PĒTERIS VASKS (b. 1946)

Plainscapes

The Tomtit’s Message (Ziles zina) (1981/2004) for mixed choir

Silent Songs (Klusās dziesmas) (1979/1992) for mixed choir

* Our Mother’s Names (Mūsu māšu vārdi) (1977/2003) for mixed choir

* The Sad Mother (Skumjā māte) (1980/91) for female choir

* Summer (Vasara) (1978) for female choir

Plainscapes (Līdzenuma ainavas) (2002) for mixed choir (vocalise), violin and cello

* Small, Warm Holiday (Mazi, silti svētki) (1988) for female choir

Birth (Piedzimšana) (2008) for mixed choir and percussion

* denotes world première recordings

Latvian Radio Choir, Sigvards Kļava (conductor)

Sandis Šteinbergs (violin)

Guna Āboltiņa (cello)

Jānis Kokins (percussion)

This CD presents a cross section of a cappella choral works by Cannes Classical-awarded composer Pēteris Vasks (b. 1946), 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 ‘recommends’), 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, violin and cello on commission from Gidon Kremer. Meditating on the inspiring beauty of the Latvian lowlands, it uses vocalises to celebrate nature’s cyclic miracles.

Birth (2008) for choir and percussion pays tribute to the sun as a symbol for life.

Ondine ODE11942