Category: News

Coming up with bold, new ideas is something the classical and jazz-trained flautist Elizabete Balcus has never been short of.

In honor of the 25th anniversary of “Kremerata Baltica” chamber orchestra, SKANi releases an album by the orchestra led by Gidon Kremer called “ppp”. The name contains abbreviations of the surnames of the three prominent Latvian composers Pēteris Plakidis, Kristaps Pētersons and Georgs Pelēcis. The subtlety of chamber music and the love towards detail by Pēteris Plakidis, mathematical precision and composure along with transcendent and mystical images by Kristaps Pētersons and naive, cheerful, brave characters alongside a melancholic reverie by Georgs Pelēcis make this release a bright example of the Latvian contemporary music. The album (CD, streaming and download format) will be released on June 17, 2022.

“My ideal is to serve music. In whatever form that may be, I take great joy in being a servant to this lady”

Pēteris Plakidis

Pēteris Plakidis (1947–2017) is the greatest poet and interpreter of music among Latvian composers. According to his biography, he was also the “most academic”, because once he began his studies at the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music, he never left the school. Studies in composition were followed by an assistantship and then a professorship. He also had the most typical path of a Latvian composer regarding education and career: the Emīls Dārziņš Music School, the conservatory, head of the music department at the Latvian National Theatre, a popular composer of film music, also a co-creator of wonderful animated films. He embodied the bonds of artistic fraternity between composer and performer, between members of a chamber ensemble, between poetry and music, between poets and musicians. These bonds were stronger than any external conditions; Plakidis belonged to an age of musical “insiders” where only talent and insight mattered. The Little Concerto for two violins (1991) premiered on August 18, 1991, in the Wagner Hall in Riga. It was performed by Aīda Grieze and Andris Pauls, to whom it is also dedicated. Precisely thirty years later, Gidon Kremer and Madara Pētersone recorded the concerto specially for this album.

Kristaps Pētersons (1982) holds a bachelor’s degree with highest honors in double bass and composition (2005) and a master’s degree in composition (2007) from the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music. For outstanding accomplishments during his studies, he received the Arnolds Šturms Award and the Tālivaldis Ķeniņš Award. Pētersons has been a musician with the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra since 2005 and a musician and soloist with “Kremerata Baltica” since 2015. In 2010, he was awarded first place in the young composers’ category at the UNESCO-organized International Rostrum of Composers competition for his composition Twilight Chants recorded by the Latvian Radio Choir. Ground premiered in 1999, while π = 3.14 for two double basses, percussion and recording was composed specially for this “Kremerata Baltica” album. Pētersons is at times inspired by transcendent, even mystical things, yet at the same time his music possesses a mathematical precision and composure that gives the impression of immediacy and directness. The irrational number π (or pi or P) playfully relates to something as barely determinable to the ear as the tuning of a piano. Music for a Large Ensemble was written specially for the musicians of “Kremerata Lettonica”. It premiered on May 22, 2021, at the Wagner Hall in Riga as part of a concert honoring the centenary of diplomatic relations between Latvia and Germany.

Georgs Pelēcis (1947) is a composer and significant researcher and scholar of the history and theory of counterpoint. He studied at the Emīls Dārziņš Music High School in Riga and, encouraged by his classmate Gidon Kremer, continued his education at the Pyotr Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory, where he studied composition under Aram Khachaturian, graduating in 1970. Seven years later at the same institution, he completed graduate studies in music theory under Vladimir Protopopov. Pelēcis began teaching polyphony at the Latvian State Conservatory (later, the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music) in 1970 and became a professor there in 1990. Pelēcis is a unique phenomenon in the cultural scene of the 20th/21st century. His ideal is euphony and harmony. His music is dominated by naive, cheerful and brave characters that exist alongside a melancholic reverie. Violinist Gidon Kremer – a friend since their youth – has proven to be a remarkable interpreter of Pelēcis’ music and an ambassador of his work. The Fiori Musicali collection of compositions is like a follow-up by Georgs Pelēcis to Flowering Jasmine, an opus he wrote in 2007 for Gidon Kremer. Pelēcis named this blooming garden Fiori Musicali after Girolamo Frescobaldi’s collection of liturgical organ music from the 17th century.

KREMERATA BALTICA is considered by music experts to be one of the best international chamber orchestras in the world, and with performances at important venues across the globe, it has secured an excellent reputation. In addition to regular concert tours throughout Europe, Kremerata Baltica has also performed at most of the major centres in Asia, Australia and North and South America. Kremerata Baltica has released several dozen albums, including recordings of music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Giya Kancheli, Leonid Desyatnikov, Astor Piazzolla, Raminta Šerkšnytė, Arvo Pärt, Pēteris Vasks and Georgs Pelēcis. It has received several prestigious awards, including a Grammy and Echo Award in 2002 and the Praemium Imperiale grant for young artists in 2009. The orchestra’s albums of works by Georges Enescu and Mieczysław Weinberg were both nominated for the Grammy Award, and its recording of Shostakovich’s piano concertos with Anna Vinnitskaya won the Echo Klassik award in 2016 for best concert recording (20th/21st-century music). It has received several nominations for the Latvian Grand Music Award and won Latvia’s highest state award in music in 1999 for outstanding artistic qualities in concert programmes in Latvia and popularizing Baltic composers worldwide. It also won the Latvian Grand Music Award in 2004 for the Shostakovich and Schnittke: Unfinished Century festival.

Violinist Gidon Kremer founded Kremerata Baltica in 1997 at the Lockenhaus Chamber Music Festival as a 50th birthday present to himself. The orchestra consists of musicians from the three Baltic states of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. One of its main aims is to inspire and promote musical growth in the Baltic region as well as encourage innovative programming and performance that is open to experimentation and poses bold challenges to the status quo. Kremerata Baltica has held its own, eponymous festival in Latvia since 2003. Since the orchestra’s inception, it has regularly collaborated with world-renowned musicians and conductors. In addition to Kremer himself, soloists have included violinists Vadim Repin, Lisa Batiashvili, Thomas Zehetmair, Baiba Skride and Kristīne Balanas; cellists Mischa Maisky, Mario Brunello and Yo-Yo Ma; singer Jessye Norman; pianists Mikhail Pletnev, Martha Argerich, Khatia Buniatishvili, Katia Skanavi and Reinis Zariņš; and accordionist Ksenija Sidorova. Guest conductors have included Saulius Sondeckis, Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla, Simon Rattle, Heinz Holliger, Ainārs Rubiķis and Andris Poga.

SKANi is a division of the Latvian Music Information Centre (LMIC). Funded by the Latvian Ministry of Culture, its goal is to produce high quality recordings of Latvian classical music performed by both emerging and established Latvian musicians and promote Latvia’s classical music heritage through its distinctive and varied programming. Founded in 2014, it has released around 100 recordings and is managed by a Latvian clarinetist Egīls Šēfers, who is also a Director of the Latvian Music Information Centre and Chairman of the Latvian Music Council. It has longstanding relationships with the Latvian Radio Choir, Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, State Choir “Latvia”, Sinfonietta Riga, Liepāja Symphony Orchestra and many other soloists and chamber music groups.  

TRACK LIST:

Pēteris Plakidis: Little Concerto for two violins

1. I. Singing Together 3:21
2. II. Evening Music 7:34
3. III. The Road 5:50

Kristaps Pētersons

4. Ground for double bass solo 4:44
5. π = 3,14 for two double basses, percussion, and recording 8:46

Music for a Large Ensemble

6. I. ♪ = 124 0:52
7. II. ♪ = 82 2:29
8. III. ♪ = 124 5:35

Georgs Pelēcis: Three pieces from Fiori Musicali

9. The Lone Calla 4:41
10. Dance of the Peonies 5:44
11. Cosmea Melancholy 4:17

TT: 54:22

Gidon Kremer, violin (1-3, 11)

Madara Pētersone, violin (1-3)

Kristaps Pētersons, double bass (4, 5)

Iurii Gavrilyuk, double bass (5)

Andrei Pushkarev, vibraphone (5, 9, 11)

Kremerata Baltica (9-11)

Kremerata Lettonica (6-8)

Recorded in: Riga Recording Studio, Latvian Radio Studio 1, 2021 & 2022

Recording producer, editing, mixing, mastering: Varis Kurmiņš

Booklet text: Ingrīda Zemzare

English translation: Amanda Zaeska

Photos: Jevgeņija Frolova, Edmunds mickus, Maksims Novikovs, Angie Kremer

Design: Kirils Šmeļkovs

Executive producer: Ingrīda Zemzare, Egīls Šēfers

℗ Kremerata Baltica, 2022

© Kremerata Baltica & LMIC/SKANi 139, 2022

Latvian group Sub Scriptum and Ukrainian singer Anastasia Vasilenko have published the single “Зійде сонце” (Ziyde sonce) and its video. The musicians met during the third Osokins’ Freedom Festvial for Ukraine, creating songs for the festival’s closing concert, which was attended by many newly formed associations of Latvian and Ukrainian musicians, together expressing support for Ukraine in the fight against Russia’s brutal military aggression. The collaboration between Sub Scriptum and Anastasia Vasilenko was so successful that it was decided to develop and continue it. 

The leader of the group, Kristers Rudzītis, says: “Since the beginning of the war, we have been actively involved in various concerts and projects in support of Ukraine, because music is our biggest weapon to express support to the Ukrainians. With this achievement, we want to show our position that there is no place for war and cruelty in the 21st century. Music is the best language in the world – with these words we started working with Anastasia and they have united us all this time.” 

The first version of “Зійде сонце” entitled “Tas notiek naktīs” can be found in the group’s album “21. gs. mode” (2020). The new song is in Latvian and Ukrainian, with music and lyrics by Kristers Rudzītis and Anastasia Vasilenko.

“With this song, we want to support the Ukrainians, tell them that all the horrors that are happening in Ukraine will end soon and that the sun will rise again. That’s why the chorus of the song I created in Ukrainian starts with the words “I want to believe that the wind will calm down and the sun will rise”. I am very happy to work with Sub Scriptum – the band brings together not only very talented musicians including the lead vocalist Kristers, who writes deep and beautiful music, but also wonderful people. All this time, they have wholeheartedly supported me and Ukraine,” says Anastasia Vasilenko.

Author of the video – Elvis Lācis. It was created with the support of the recreation center “Gandrs”. The special atmosphere of the video was created by “BB Rental”. Make-up artist – Ieva Iraida.

The producer of the song is Alexander Buryi (Ukraine), who has worked with the groups “Смысловые галлюцинации”, “Чичерина”, “Мураками” and others. Mix and mastering – Armands Varslavāns.

Several festivals and concerts with the participation of Sub Scriptum are expected, in which the song “Зійде сонце” will be performed together with Anastasia Vasilenko. The group invites other Latvian musicians to collaborate with Ukrainian artists, as their culture is currently under threat, and it is very important to give musicians who have taken refuge in Latvia the opportunity to continue performing.

The band Sub Scriptum, which originated in 2017, has also previously focused on current topics in its music. The band’s single “Kādā Krāsā” (2020) and its video which tells about political correctness and its exaggeration in today’s world was noticed by the “Baltic Film Festival”. Furthermore, the debut album “21. gs. mode” (2020) spoke about the modern and not always understandable lifestyle. The group’s leader Kristers Rudzītis is also known as a young poet with success in Latvian competitions and his publications of poetry and prose, which gives Sub Scriptum a different taste in music.

The group actively performs at festivals and concerts, their upcoming concerts will be held in “Gypsy Camp”, Liepaja, on July 9, Sigulda Castle Pavilion July 23 and Summer Sound Festival in Liepaja on July 29.

The song “Зійде сонце” is available on major music streaming sites: https://fanlink.to/SubScriptumAnastasijaVasilenko, including Spotify: https://spoti.fi/39Fnrwu.

Photographer Šeila Orlova.

Latvian singer/songwriter Patriks has released the last single of his upcoming debut album “PENUMBRA”, which will be out on 25th of May! ‘GIVING UP’ is the fourth single of ‘PENUMBRA’, it has a retro SynthPop sound and a vintage music video shot on analog 16mm film.

‘GIVING UP’ is about holding down that thought that You are not enough in any way and running through all the doubtful emotions and experiences to tell Yourself that there will be a day You’ll find your way. The energetic 80’s synth sound gives it a lot of  drive and it works as a reminder to always look forward, even when times get tough.

As Patriks says, the upcoming debut album “PENUMBRA” is finished and it contains of 10 songs, which will  bring the listeners through an emotional rollercoaster based on a touching story from the songwriters’ personal life.

Patriks identifies with such genres as: R&B/Soul, Alternative Pop, Singer/Songwriter, Bedroom Pop, Neo Soul and others.

Besides the two previously released singles “Tiešām Neatceros” (“I really cannot remember”) and “Kā Tev Šodien Gāja?” (“How was Your Day?”) the album is complemented by three more compositions.

“Neko darīt. Kā ir, tā jādzīvo.” (“Life, accept it as it is and live on.”) is a story about the impact of changes in mental status on human life. More specifically about the downside when feelings (both emotional and physical) are long-lasting and do not intend to back down.

It is difficult to see why this is happening at all. It’s even harder to understand why this is happening to me when it seems that everyone around me is doing great. But the hardest part is accepting that you will most likely have to live with those feelings for the rest of your life.

The album is about a phase in my life where I refused to accept these changes and I didn’t even tried to realize what could have made them happen in the first place. When I allowed myself to believe everything I felt, read on the internet and all the thoughts that came to mind. The main one being that I might be terribly ill because I felt the unexplained physical pain, which means that I would soon have to die. Sounds funny, doesn’t it? But, unfortunately, it was and sometimes still is my reality.

Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/album/2p6UgXY69YpKCDlv4LIjnJ

Also, a music video for the song “Here and now” has been filmed. This time I did both video filming and editing myself, but in the future I would definitely be happy to cooperate with industry professionals.

In addition to the music, in-depth stories have been published about each of the songs. They are published on my social media profiles. As the topic discussed in the project is very broad and complex, it seemed necessary to tell more about what was really hidden under the lyrics. It is difficult to fit in three minutes what has been and still is going on in my head for almost two years now.

I invite everyone to listen to the album and those who find the topic relevant, be sure to check out the in-depth stories about the songs in my social media profiles.

 

Today, February 11, artist Karlina, full name Karlīna Šēnknehte, releases a new song in English “BOOM”.The song was written for the song contest “Supernova”

The song was created in collaboration with entertainment and art company “Vincent Entertainment”. The authors of the song are Loreta Reide and Karlīna Šēnknehte, while the producers of the song are Rolands Prīverts and Loreta Reide.

“BOOM” is about reality and tells about how life comes to a stage where you may have to look at yourself in the light of truth to understand that you can’t escape from yourself and your own reality and the feeling of it can be a little scary, “says Karlina. “The idea of the song came together with Loreta Reide, in a small songwriting camp, writing everything that comes to mind and corent situation in many people’s lifes . Loretta recently started working as a producer, so she sank into the song’s production and I sank into writing lyrics for the song. It was a very harmonious process and we decided to submit the song to the “Supernova” song contest, but it was not included in the semi-finalists list.

The production of the song was continued by the producer Rolands Prīverts. He gave the song its own sound and colors that make it so powerful and noticeable.

The song is available on streaming platforms from today, and a video of the song is coming soon.

Spotify

The LP, which the band spent a good deal of time on, is finally available on all streaming platforms and CD, which includes a bonus track.

“We’re really proud and honored to finally release the full-length record for listeners all over the world. The first three singles have already caused some significant noise here, and abroad as well, gathering us new fans and listeners, who are really into the sound that we make. We’ve read various different reviews, and gotten feedback, so it’s really exciting to see how the resto f the album is going to be received. As it’s a very versatile record, we have no doubt that anyone will find a song, lyric or vibe on it that they can relate to” – says the band.

The digital version offers 10 tracks, and the CD includes the exclusive “Moonlight Days”.

“None of a Kind” helped us to get everything off our chests at the time, so you’ll hear those raw emotions, read about genuine experiences, it’s all there, and putting it into song is the best way to deal with it for us. We’ve experienced and learned a lot during the making of this record, and that helped us develop our skills and personalities. It’s a very strong foundation for the band today – with our own esatblished sound and attitude, we’re ready for our next big thing. And while listeners are feasting their ears on “None of a Kind”, we’re in the kitchen, cooking up the next trouble course, and we’ve just clocked in. “We’re here to do some damage!” – to quote the band.

“None of a Kind” has been released via “Rockshots Records”, which signed “Quickstrike” last year.

“The single” GREEN “is my current feeling about what is happening in the world. The depressing situation is dragging on for so long that it never seems to end. I think that is how many young people my age feel – at a time when we have reached the age of majority and our lives should be in full swing, we are forced to sit at home, become estranged from each other and live in more and more mental health problems. Composing music for me is like relaxation, which helps me to cope with myself in these difficult times. Thanks to my musical family and the time I was born, I have had the opportunity to play in various music genres from an early age. You can also listen to my different music experiences in the music I create, which is difficult to put into one specific genre. The single “GREEN”, in collaboration with video artist Rūdolfs Kuncītis, has also made a video. ” says Fabiass.

Latvian rock and metal music groups and other representatives of the industry express their support to the people of Ukraine in these difficult times! Musicians and industry condemn Russia’s aggression and demand an immediate end to the war! Glory to Ukraine, Glory to the Heroes!

On Friday, 18th of March at 6 o’clock in the morning, a pop-up event “Meeting point” will take place in the yard of the Latvian National Museum of Art. Everyone is welcome to experience the magic of the sunrise accompanied by a musical performance from the Latvian indie band “Carnival Youth”.

The organizers “Ezera skaņas”, emphasize the importance of creating shared events to encourage the inclusion of Ukrainian people in Riga’s cultural scene and providing a public space for people to meet and share their experiences and stories during these challenging times.

The event will have a pop-up nature with an improvised stage, coffee and cookies. Attendees are encouraged to bring breakfast, warm blankets and picnic chairs.

For the following month, similar events at this location will be held weekly on Saturday afternoons. During the events, cash donations will be collected to support Ukraine.

For more information, visit “Ezera skaņas” Facebook page and the “Meeting Point” Facebook event page – https://bit.ly/MP_1803