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.

Latvian piano star Vestards Šimkus (known as Vestard Shimkus internationally) has released his latest solo compact disc, entitled Interview with Beethoven.

The CD contains three works: Ludwig van Beethoven’s piano sonatas number 2 and 29 (the extremely difficult “Hammerklavier”), as well as Šimkus’ own “EU Variations,” which are variations on the theme from “Ode to Joy” from Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9.

Interview with Beethoven was released in May by German music label Ars Produktion (ARS 38 099). The works were recorded at the Steinway-Haus in Dusseldorf.

Šimkus, who began playing piano at the age of 5, has become internationally renowned for his skill and interpretations. He was honored with the Latvian Great Music Award in 2002 and 2009. Šimkus also received accolades for his performance of Latvian composer Pēteris Vasks’ “The Seasons” solo piano cycle, which was released on CD by the German music label Wergo in 2010.

As shown on this release, Šimkus is also an active composer. His “Concerto for Piano and String Orchestra” received its world premiere in July 2008.

Tracks on the CD include:

1. Vestards Šimkus, EU Variations on a Theme of Beethoven
2. Ludwig van Beethoven: Klaviersonate op. 2 Nr. 3, Allegro con brio
3. Ludwig van Beethoven: Klaviersonate op. 2 Nr. 3, Adagio
4. Ludwig van Beethoven: Klaviersonate op. 2 Nr. 3, Scherzo: Allegro
5. Ludwig van Beethoven: Klaviersonate op. 2 Nr. 3, Allegro assai
6. Ludwig van Beethoven: Klaviersonate op. 106 Hammerklavier: Allegro
7. Ludwig van Beethoven: Klaviersonate op. 106 Hammerklavier: Scherzo: Assai vivace
8. Ludwig van Beethoven: Klaviersonate op. 106 Hammerklavier: Adagio sostenuto
9. Ludwig van Beethoven: Klaviersonate op. 106 Hammerklavier: Introduzione: Largo – Fuga: Allegro risoluto

The CD booklet features essays on Beethoven and his works in both German and in English, as well as a brief biography of Šimkus and a brief essay by him. The disc is a Super Audio CD (SACD), which means it can be played on DVD players utilizing 5.1 channel output, if available.

More information about Šimkus is available on his website, www.vestard-shimkus.com.