The Finnish record label Ondine, in cooperation with Latvijas koncerti, has released Plainscapes, a collection of Latvian composer Pēteris Vasks’ choral music performed by the Latvian Radio Choir and conducted by Sigvards Kļava.

The compact disc collects a broad range of Vasks’ secular choral music, with works from the 1970s through 1990s, as well as the first decade of the new millennium.

All lyrics are in Latvian, with poetry by well-known Latvian authors such as Uldis Bērziņš, Knuts Skujenieks and Inese Zandere.

Including such better known works such as “Zīles ziņa” (The Tomtit’s Message) and “Klusās dziesmas” (Silent Songs), Plainscapes also features some works that are being released on CD for the first time, such as “Mūsu māšu vārdi” (Our Mothers’ Names), “Skumjā māte” (The Sad Mother), “Vasara” (Summer) and “Mazi, silti svētki” (Small, Warm Holiday).

The CD booklet also contains an in-depth interview with the composer (in English) by Ināra Jakubone of the Latvian Music Information Centre.

This is the second Ondine CD to feature the Latvian Radio Choir performing the choral works of Vasks. The first, Pater noster, featured sacred works and was released in 2007. Ondine has released a number of CDs featuring the works of Vasks, including his Symphony No. 2 and Violin Concerto “Distant Light” in 2003 and Symphony No. 3 and Cello Concerto in 2006. The Latvian Radio Choir has also recorded the works of other composers for Ondine, for example Rachmaninov’s Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom in 2010.

Tracks on the CD include:

1. The Tomtit’s Message (Zīles ziņa, 1981/2004) and Silent Songs (Klusās dziesmas, 1979/1992)
2. I. Nosāpi pārsāpi
3. II. Dusi dusi
4. III. Trīs meži
5. IV. Paldies tev vēlā saule
6. Our Mothers’ Names (Mūsu māšu vārdi, 1977/2003)
7. The Sad Mother (Skumja māte, 1980/91)
8. Summer (Vasara, 1978)
9. Plainscapes (Līdzenuma ainavas, 2002)
10. Small, Warm Holiday (Mazi, silti svētki, 1988)
11. Birth (Piedzimšana, 2008)

For more on Vasks, visit the Latvian Music Information Centre’s website, www.lmic.lv. For information on the Latvian Radio Choir, visit www.radiokoris.lv.

Latvian countertenor Sergejs Jēgers has released his most recent album, Ave Maria, a collection of mostly sacred songs recorded in the Rīga Cathedral, accompanied by organist Diāna Jaunzeme.

This is now the fourth compact disc that features Jēgers and his unique voice. His debut solo album was 2006’s Ave Musica, a collection of baroque era songs. That was followed by 2007’s duet album with saxophonist Artis Gaga entitled Duende, and interpretations of Latvian folk songs accompanied by the Sinfonietta Rīga orchestra on 2009’s Dziesmiņās remdējos.

Jēgers has performed internationally, including many European countries as well as the United States and Canada. He is a graduate of the Latvian Academy of Music, where he is now a lecturer on early music. Jēgers is also very involved in philanthropy and charity work, and he has his own charity fund, the Sergeja Jēgera Labdarības fonds.

Jaunzeme is also a graduate of the Latvian Academy of Music, having been taught by one of Latvia’s premiere organists, Tālivaldis Deksnis. Jaunzeme has also been collaborating with Jēgers for the past few years.

Tracks on Ave Maria, released on the Latvijs koncerti label, include:

1. J. S. Bach / Ch. Gounod, “Ave Maria”
2. H. Purcell, “Fairest Isle” (from King Arthur)
3. G. F. Händel, Almirena’s aria “Lascia ch’io pianga” from the opera Rinaldo
4. H. Purcell, “Music for a While”
5. G. F. Händel, “Dignare from Dettingen Te Deum”
6. P. Tosti, “Ave Maria”
7. Anonymous 19th century author, “Pietà, Signore”
8. C. Saint-Saëns, “Ave Maria”
9. C. Franck, “Panis angelicus”
10. G. Fauré, “Pie Jesu from Requiem”
11. Unknown 18th century author, “Caro mio ben”
12. G. F. Händel, Xerxes’ aria “Ombra mai fu” from Xerxes
13. H. Purcell, “What Power Art Thou” from King Arthur
14. G. Caccini, “Amarilli, mia bella”
15. V. Vavilov, “Ave Maria”

A brief video (in Latvian) on the album can be found on YouTube.

For more on Jēgers, visit his website, www.sergejsjegers.lv.

Latvian postfolk ensemble Iļģi has released its latest album, Tur saulīte pērties gāja, a collection of songs and instrumental works about the ancient Latvian sauna tradition.

Members of the band include Ilga Reizniece on vocals and kokles, Māris Muktupāvels on kokles, Gatis Gaujenieks on trough fiddle and bass guitar, Egons Kronbergs on guitars, and Mārtiņš Linda on percussion.

The new album was presented Dec. 7 in the Rīga Pharmacy Museum’s “Black Sauna” exhibit room. Organized by Upe tuviem and tāliem Director Iveta Mielava, the event featured Reizniece and Muktupāvels performing a few songs.

Track on the compact disc include:

1. Pirts kurināšana
2. Ceļojums
3. Ceļš
4. Pēršana
5. Lidošana
6. Garā pupa
7. Paldies

The event also featured a demonstration of proper sauna technique, provided by members of the Pirts skola, a school for those wishing to develop their sauna knowledge and skills. There was even a brief demonstration of sauna techniques, and, by some strange chance, these techniques were demonstrated upon your faithful correspondent!

In addition to the CD release, the ensemble celebrated its 30th anniversary with a concert at the newly refurbished Palladium concert hall in Rīga on Dec. 3. The concert featured songs from the band’s entire history. Also performing were a number of former members, such as Zane Šmite (vocals), Jānis Abens (guitar) and Arnolds Kārklis, among other guests. A highlight of the event was a medley of songs from the Spēlēju, dancoju album, featuring Irīna Mihailovska singing the part of Lelde. She also provides guest vocals on the song “Ceļojums” on Tur saulīte pērties gāja.

For more on Iļģi, visit the band’s website, www.ilgi.lv.