Latvian pianist Dzintra Erliha continues to explore and champion the works of women composers of the 21st century. Beginning with 2023’s album Serena, Erliha has expanded upon that collection with a second album – 2024’s Dreamscape, released by the Prima Classic label. The album, once again, displays the breadth and depth of 21st century piano music. Erliha notes that the works on the album were chosen because “they resonate with my inner world.”
Composer and pianist Starr Parodi, known for her contributions to film and television music, provides “The Heart of Frida (Corazon Hermoso)”, inspired by painter Frida Kahlo. Kahlo’s husband, Mexican painter Diego Rivera, described her as “lovable as a beautiful smile, and as profound and cruel as the bitterness of life”, and the contrasting aspects of Kahlo are revealed in Erliha’s performance, with both light and dark moods.
The undulating, meditative “Marina”, by Spanish composer María Eugenia León, is a work dedicated to the composer’s mother. As her mother loved the sea, the music evokes waves, and Erliha’s light touch fills the work with tenderness and love.
Erliha also frequently collaborates with composers, and, in turn, she has received many dedications, many of which are included on Dreamscapes. Turkish composer Esin Aydingoz provides one such dedication – “Gentle Willpower”, a work with a subtle political message, about a desire for leaders that will endeavor to use ‘soft’ power, and Erliha imbues the work with hope and yearning. Other works by Aydingoz are featured on the album, including “The Land of Passion”, a work about her native Turkey and the passionate people there, and “Funeral For Your Memories”, about a painful breakup. Erliha provides an emotionally resonant interpretation of the work, full of melancholy and sadness.
Many of the works on Dreamscape are somber and filled with sorrow and perhaps none as much as Leanna Primiani’s “Loss for Solo Piano”, a work also dedicated to Erliha. The piece was inspired by the death of Primiani’s mother. The work interweaves both positive memories as well as the sadness of knowing the end is approaching. Erliha balances both these aspects in her performance, both the celebration of life, as well as grief and loss, resulting in a poignant and heartbreaking interpretation.
Though brief, Suad Bushnaq’s “Prelude” is a sweeping and majestic work. Ukrainian composer Ganna Sorbat’s “Memories of Valse”, has a sentimental atmosphere. Even in these comparatively short works, Erliha provides memorable and moving performances.
Erliha is joined by violinist Tatjana Ostrovska and cellist Ivars Bezprozvanovs on a few of the recordings, including Lolita Ritmanis’ “Vignettes from the Park”, a work dedicated to Erliha, that paints a picture of a walk in a park. The trio vividly recreate different scenes from this walk, from a boisterous conversation by a fountain to a spirited, almost whimsical, depiction of a boy with a dog and a kite. The trio also perform Ritmanis’ “Dreamscape”, a dreamy, wistful work, and the interplay between the instruments creates a fragile and delicate atmosphere.
Dzintra Erliha’s musical journey through the expansive and diverse world of piano music by women composers remains an engrossing and enlightening adventure. Revealing the many facets and layers of these compositions, Erliha’s talents in creating immersive and nuanced performances are on full display on Dreamscapes.
For further information, please visit Dzintra Erliha’s website, as well as the Prima Classic website.
Dreamscape
Dzintra Erliha
Prima Classic, PRIMA024, 2024
Track listing:
- Starr Parodi “The Heart of Frida (Corazon Hermoso)”
- María Eugenia León “Marina”
- Suad Bushnaq “Prelude”
- Esin Aydingoz “Gentle Willpower” (dedicated to Dzintra Erliha, 2023, premiere)
- Esin Aydingoz “The Land of Passion”
- Ganna Sorbat “Memories of Valse”
- Esin Aydingoz “Funeral For Your Memories”
- Leanna Primiani “Loss for Solo Piano” (dedicated to Dzintra Erliha, 2023; premiere)
- Starr Parodi “Piano Improvisation of Albinon’s Adagio in G Minor”
- Esin Aydingoz “Flamma”
- Sabine Kezbere “Lilleaker” (dedicated to Dzintra Erliha, 2021; premiere)
- Esin Aydingoz “Years Gone By” for violin, cello, piano
- Lolita Ritmanis “Dreamscape” for violin, cello, piano
Lolita Ritmanis “Vignettes From the Park” for violin, cello, piano (dedicated to Dzintra Erliha, 2023; premiere)
- Moderato: Conversations by the Fountain
- Andante: Moonlight Love
- Allegro: The Kite, the Boy, the Dog
Egils Kaljo is an American-born Latvian from the New York area . Kaljo began listening to Latvian music as soon as he was able to put a record on a record player, and still has old Bellacord 78 rpm records lying around somewhere.
