Latvian-American folk ensemble Kolibri has released its first compact disc, a retrospective collection entitled Kolibri atskatās / Kolibri reminisces. The CD collects a selection of folk song arrangements from the ensemble’s 1979 debut album, as well as concert performances recorded at Latvian Radio in 1988, and some addition live performances from concerts in New York and Boston.

Kolibri, founded in 1976, featured a number of prominent Latvian-American musicians and composers, including Pēteris and Mārtiņš Aldiņš, Anita Kuprisa, Juris Broks, Laila and Lalita Saliņa, Līga Aldiņa, Laura Padega, Imants Mežaraups, Pēteris Ozols, Jānis Sils and Ruta Dambis-Ruice. The ensemble was later joined by Pamela Ambrose, Silvija Padeja and Andris Lēvenšteins. Arrangements of the songs on this CD are by both Aldiņš brothers, Kuprisa, Mežaraups, Laila Saliņa, as well as one arrangement by distinguished Latvian American conductor Andrejs Jansons.

The group took the name Kolibri, which is Latvian for hummingbird, so that it could give a “voice” to a bird that does not sing.

In addition to its 1979 vinyl album, Kolibri released three audio cassettes, Kolibri dzied un spēlē arī and Danco, danco, pagriezies, pagriezies! (both 1988) and Slava Dievam augstībā (1991). However, the group no longer actively performs.

The CD was presented Nov. 15 in a concert at the Rīga Latvian Society House, featuring guest performances by the vocal groups Putni and Putnu dārzs, composer Valts Pūce, as well as Kolibri member and composer Imants Mežaraups.

Tracks on Kolibri atskatās / Kolibri reminisces include (with their arrangers in parentheses):

1. Malni muni kumeleņi (Pēteris Aldiņš)
2. Zvirgzdienas rotāšana (Mārtiņš Aldiņš)
3. Kas dimd (Andrejs Jansons)
4. Māmiņa mīļā (Anita Kuprisa)
5. Šūpļa dziesma (Pēteris Aldiņš)
6. Tu māsiņa, es māsiņa (Imants Mežaraups)
7. Metenītis (Pēteris Aldiņš)
8. Darbs ira (Laila Saliņa, Pēteris Aldiņš, Mārtiņš Aldiņš)
9. Bērnu dziesmas (Pēteris Aldiņš)
10. Ģērbies, saule, sudrabota (Anita Kuprisa)
11. Pavasara ainas (Imants Mežaraups)
12. Putnu dzīšana (Mārtiņš Aldiņš)
13. Vedat mani dziedādami! (Anita Kuprisa)
14. Vadža dances (Mārtiņš Aldiņš)
15. Ganiņu līgošana (Pēteris Aldiņš)
16. Čigānu dziesma (Pēteris Aldiņš)
17. Ziemassvētku dziesmas (Pēteris Aldiņš)
18. Sidrabiņa lietiņš lija (Pēteris Aldiņš)
19. Sidrabiņa lietiņš lija (Anita Kuprisa)
20. Sidrabiņa lietiņš lija (Mārtiņš Aldiņš)

The CD was published by the SPEKTRS culture association.

The third volume of the Latvian folk music overview series, Sviests 3, has been released in Rīga by the culture management center Lauska. Featuring 22 folk songs or songs inspired by Latvian folk music, it collects performances by many well-known folk ensembles.

Laiksne, Skyforger, Auļi and Laimas muzykanti are represented, as well as newer artists influenced by folk music, such as Misters (who performs in a folk and hip-hop style) and Trakula (which specializes in Renaissance and medieval era music). The collection also features songs from international Latvian folk ensembles, such as Lini from the United States; Zigrīdas kalpi from Australia; and KGB (Kristaps Grasis Band) and Lokal Heroes, both from Germany.

The compact disc’s booklet includes short descriptions of all the artists in Latvian and English.

Tracks included on the CD are:

• “Seika moza meitineite,” performed by Ceiruleits
• “Putra,” performed by Laiksne
• “Nebūs miera šaizemē,” performed by Misters
• “Jūras dziesma,” performed by Skyforger
• “Kur tu skriesi vanadziņi,” performed by Zaļā zāle
• “Lempim bija pieci dēli,” performed by Trakula
• “Tuoļi dzeivoj,” performed by Folkvakars
• “Etnotranss 3,” performed by Auļi
• “Smagi smagi,” performed by Baļķi
• “Laid iekšā(i) sievasmāte,” performed by KGB
• “Pikits,” performed by Pērlis
• “Zvejnieciņa meita biju,” performed by Baobabs
• “Muote,” performed by Laimas muzykanti
• “Daugaviņa,” performed by Kokle
• “Pašu dancis,” performed by Abra
• “Es stāvēju agru rītu,” performed by Vecpilsētas dziedātāji
• “Meža, meža es meitiņa,” performed by Etnomuzikologi
• “Ar vilciņu,” performed by Zigrīdas kalpi
• “Jumja dziesma,” performed by Vilkači
• “Bali inspirācija,” performed by Gosti
• “Te bij’ laba saimeniece,” performed by Lini un draugi
• “Six Little Drummers,” performed by Lokal Heroes

A new Sviests collection is released every two years. The first release was in 2005 and a second volume appeared in 2007.

The official presentation of the CD was at the recent International Folk Music Convention WOMEX 2009 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Latvian pianist Liene Circene has released her first solo compact disc, Šūpuļdziesmas (Lullabies). It is a collection of 24 works by Latvian composers for solo piano, all with a lullaby theme.

Works include arrangements of Latvian folk songs, such as “Aijā, žūžū, lāču bērni” by Jāzeps Vītols, and “Netīšāmi es iegāju” by Dace Aperāne, and three different arrangements of the folk song “Velc, pelīte, saldu miegu” by composers Lūcija Garūta, Pēteris Plakidis and Edgars Raginskis.

Not only is this Circene’s first CD release, it is also the first CD release produced by Latvijas koncerti, the Latvian concert agency.

Circene was scheduled to perform a concert in celebration of the release of her CD in the Rīga Small Guild on Oct. 7, but shortly before the concert she injured her hand. However, the concert went on, with a number of notable guest musicians performing in her place.

Circene is one of Latvia’s most distinguished pianists, having studied at the Latvian Academy of Music with professor Arnis Zandmanis. She has performed with many orchestras, including the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra and the Iceland Symphony Orchestra. Circene also was awarded the Most Notable Debut award at the Latvian Great Music Awards in 1994. Circene is a teacher at the Sigulda School of Music.

The 24 tracks on Šūpuļdziesmas include:

1. Netīšāmi es iegāju, a Latvian folk song arrangement by Dace Aperāne
2. Velc, pelīte, saldu miegu, a Latvian folk song arrangement by Edgars Raginskis
3. Bearlude for Alex, by composer Tālivaldis Ķeniņš
4. Aijā, bērniņ, pūpās, a Latvian folk song arrangement by Jāzeps Vītols
5. Prelude op. 19 no. 2, by composer Jāzeps Vītols
6. Prelude op. 20 no. 4, by composer Jāzeps Vītols
7. Silta, jauka istabiņa, a Latvian folk song arrangement by Lūcija Garūta
8. Arieta, by composer Ādolfs Skulte
9. Aijā, Ancīt, a Latvian folk song arrangement by Edgars Raginskis
10. Circenīša Ziemassvētki, an arrangement by Edgars Raginskis on a theme by Raimonds Pauls
11. Čuči, mana līgaviņa, a Latvian folk song arrangement by Jāzeps Vītols
12. Sestā daina, by composer Jānis Mediņš
13. Velc, pelīte, saldu miegu, a Latvian folk song arrangement by Pēteris Plakidis
14. Šūpuļdziesma, by composer Jāzeps Vītols
15. Nocturne from the cycle “Cikls” by composer Pēteris Vasks
16. Aiz purviem, aiz mežiem saulīte lēca, a Latvian folk song arrangement by Lūcija Garūta
17. Trešā daina, by composer Jānis Mediņš
18. 14. daina, by composer Jānis Mediņš
19. Prelude, by composer Jānis Ivanovs
20. Velc, pelīte, saldu miegu, a Latvian folk song arrangement by Lūcija Garūta
21. Naktī, by composer Alfrēds Kalniņš
22. Atmiņas, by composer Vilnis Salaks
23. Labu nakti, arranged by Edgars Raginskis on a theme by Arvīds Žilinskis
24. Aijā, žūžū, lāča bērni, a Latvian folk song arrangement by Jāzeps Vītols