Recent entries

It’s May Day! Glory to Čikāgas piecīši!

Ēnas releases debut album with some nice phrases

Saliņš’ album not just another collection of beer songs

S.P.B. wins contest to record single with SonyBMG

Platforma to launch free music download service April 25

Iļģi releases instrumental album, plans digital sales

Three new CDs feature marimba, Ivanovs, Kalsons

18 Latvian bands compete for SonyBMG record deal

Mednis un Kīns, along with Rūsis, have new radio single

Zemes Mala tackles deep thoughts on first album

Archive

Three new CDs feature marimba, Ivanovs, Kalsons

Andris Straumanis

April 15, 2008

The marimba may not immediately come to mind when thinking of Latvian music, but Rihards Zaļupe apparently wants to change that. The percussionist for the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra has released the compact disc Marimba Dance, the orchestra announced April 4.

The album, according to the LNSO, includes a number of compositions by Zaļupe, ranging from improvisation to contatas. Besides Zaļupe, artists appearing on the recording are pianist Raimonds Petrauskis, the State Academic Choir Latvija, soprano Kristīne Gailīte and conductor Māris Sirmais.

Zaļupe said he decided to create to recording because he was tired of not being able to answer when people asking where they could get his CD, according to an LNSO press release.

The LNSO also is involved in a pair of CDs just released by Upe tuviem un tāliem. The CDs feature the music of composers Jānis Ivanovs and Romualds Kalsons, according to Iveta Mielava, director of Upe tuviem un tāliem.

On one CD, the LNSO performs Ivanovs’ “Vijoļkoncerts” (with soloist Vineta Sareika), “Klavierkoncerts” (with solist Juris Žvikovs) and “Čello koncerts” (with solist Agnese Rugēvica).

The other CD features the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Imants Resnis, performing work by Kalsons. Soloists on the recording are clarinetist Ints Dālderis, violinist Baiba Skride and cellist Kristīne Blaumane.

Andris Straumanis is editor of Latvians Online.