In the end of last year a souvenir – a CD of Latvian music, designed
for the participants and guests of the EBRD Board of Governors’ Annual Meeting came into
life prepared by Birojs 2000 and financed by the Nordic - EBRD Fund. In the
annotation of the CD we read that this “is an endeavour to provide an overall picture of
the Latvian professional music and its leading performers of the 20th century.” The
tendered right to perform the recording of music of Latvian composers and performers and
to issue a CD was awarded to the Music Recording Company UPE.
Ainars Mielavs, Director of the Music Recording
Company UPE, told us about the production of the CD:
While working on this project I unconsciously came to new conclusions, as a result of
which a new branch of our company emerged. The production process of this CD equipped us
with the most valuable experience to start working in a new genre for us i.e. the
classical music.
We had to make entirely new recordings of two compositions included in
the CD. Maija Einfelde’s May Ballad had never been recorded before. While
as concerns the symphonic composition by Alfreds Kalnins My Homeland, there was a
recording produced some time in the fifties, subsequently, its technical quality did not
meet the current standards and we had to do it anew. Some other recordings were also done
in the seventies and eighties when the technologies were less advanced as they are now. We
had to cleanse the recordings using modern technologies, which was a very enlightening and
rewarding experience.
At the beginning our main problem was our ignorance, as we had no
experience with this genre also known as the solemn music. But Normunds Sne, Kaspars
Putnins, and Sigvards Klava who are conversant with this kind of music helped me a lot and
I do not feel so rootless any more.
This is the first collection in the form of a CD where the major part
of works is legendary core masterpieces of the Latvian music. In this respect, I think
this CD is unique. The CD will be presented to the participants and guests of the EBRD
Annual Meeting as a souvenir, but I am positive it will find its local audience as well.
I wish all the guests of Riga to find something close to their hearts
and discover Latvia not only as a region to invest, but also as a country of deep and
profound roots of musical culture.
Birojs 2000 had invited musicologist Inese Lusina and Janis
Torgans, Pro-Rector for Creative and Scientific Work of the Latvian Music Academy, to
develop the list of compositions to be included in the CD. Janis Torgans
admits that this by far was not an easy task:
We had to show as much of the Latvian music as possible, with as much diversity and
contrast as possible, besides, making it as attractive as possible. It was quite a
challenge – on one hand, the CD was intended to provide an insight into the Latvian
music in general, but on the other, it had to follow the rules of stylistic consistency
not to become scrappy.
In the first place we selected the most characteristic compositions of
the Latvian music classics – pieces that provide a general concept of the Latvian world
outlook and emotional characteristics of Latvian people. Such are, for example, The
Melancholic Waltz of Emils Darzins or My Homeland of Alfreds Kalnins.
Alongside, there is The Midsummer Night of Emils Melngailis where Latvian folk
songs Ligo combine with melodies composed by the author. These are historical
works, and we cannot imagine the Latvian music without them. At the same time they provide
an idea of the general style, prevailing emotional moods and professionalism of the
Latvian music.
Secondly, we wanted to present the outstanding Latvian authors and
performers of the present day. Here the choral music holds the predominance, bearing in
mind that this is an area where we are distinctive and really strong. We should definitely
mention the suite of Juris Karlsons The Open Ring, which is truly sophisticated and
involved concert music, not every choir can do it. By choosing this composition we could
demonstrate the chamber choir Ave Sol with the conductor Imants Kokars, who is a real
professional, and it gives an idea of what Latvian performers are able to do. Another
outstanding example of the choral music is the composition of Maija Einfelde May Ballad.
We definitely wanted to show the Dome organ, as it is one of the unique
treasures of our country. The brilliance of the Dome organ can be appraised in the
composition of Imants Zemzars’ The Field where varieties of registers and nuances
of the colourful performance provide an unforgettable musical experience.
In my opinion, one of the most interesting humorous Latvian
compositions is the dedication To Haydn by Peteris Plakidis, which is a very nice
stylisation with a charming spirit and agility. I hope it will find its audience among
intellectual and educated public. Similar is the Wedding Song of Romualds Kalsons,
in particular – its two final parts. This is a suite for a symphony orchestra where one
can feel a true vitality.
The best Latvian performers - Normunds Sne and Riga Chamber Musicians,
Chamber Choir Ave Sol, Latvian Radio Choir, French horn player Arvids Klisans,
flutist Dita Krenberga and others - were involved in recording the compositions of the CD,
whereas the National Symphony Orchestra can be heard even in two recordings – one
conducted by Leonids Vigners, and the other by Vasilijs Sinaiskis. Both celebrities of the
Latvian classical music and stars of the new generation are represented in the CD.
People from different countries with various mentalities and traditions
will come to the EBRD Board of Governors’ Annual Meeting in Riga, but I am absolutely
sure that this CD will find its audience, as it is targeted at a culture-loving and
educated person. The CD contains music that is specific to Latvia, and is intended as a
souvenir for guests to take home and think about Latvia.
