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.

The Latvian Youth Choir Kamēr…, led by artistic director Māris Sirmais, has released their latest compact disc, O Salutaris, containing works by Latvian composer Ēriks Ešenvalds.

The CD collects a number of recordings, some previously released, some new.

Ešenvalds, who in recent years has become one of the best known and popular Latvian composers, in October became a fellow commoner in creative arts at Trinity College, Cambridge, in England. He will hold that position for two years.

Ešenvalds and Kamēr… have a long history together, as the choir has premiered a number of his works, and Ešenvalds for many years has sung in the Latvian State Choir Latvija, also conducted by Sirmais.

His popular compositions include an arrangement of the traditional spiritual “Amazing Grace,” “A Drop in the Ocean” (dedicated to Mother Teresa), “Aizej, lietiņ!” (based on Latvian folk songs), as well as “Tāls ceļš” and “Mazā bilžu rāmītī” (his arrangement of the song by Prāta vētra lead singer Renārs Kaupers, with lyrics by famed Latvian poet Imants Ziedonis). All of these songs are included on O Salutaris.

The CD also contains fragments from Ešenvalds’ “Ziemassvētku leġenda,” a Christmas themed performance that features popular Latvian performers such as Kaupers and ethnomusicologist Valdis Muktupāvels.

Kamēr… has plucked laurels worldwide, performing everywhere from the United States to China, with one of their greatest achievements in recent years being the World Sun Songs project.

For further information on Kamēr…, visit www.kamer.lv. For more on composer Ešenvalds, visit www.eriksesenvalds.com.