The kokle, the Baltic instrument alternatively known as the Baltic zither or psaltery, is not only an instrument integral to Latvian folk culture, but also a symbol of Latvian culture itself, mentioned in many songs, poems, and stories. Perhaps due to its relatively simplistic design, the instrument, though it had a history centuries long, was close to disappearing in the 19^th century. It experienced a rebirth during Latvia’s first awakening, and has remained a part of the national consciousness ever since, even during the half century of Soviet occupation. Today this ‘simple’ instrument has become not only more popular, it comes now in many sizes and shapes, even electric, and a broad group of Latvian musicians continue to keep the kokle in the public eye.

As a tribute to this most Latvian of instruments, the record label Lauska released the collection entitled Trejdeviņi koklētāji in 2016, celebrating the many facets and forms of this instrument in the performances of many of Latvia’s best known kokle players. The songs on the album are in many styles – ethno-jazz, ethno-baroque, minimalistic, and, of course, traditional, confirming the place of this ancient instrument in the 21^st century.

The name of the collection – Trejdeviņi koklētāji – means 27 (or three times nine) kokle players, and it is not the actual count of the musicians that appear on this record (though it is close!) The title actually comes from a folk wedding song, where, when the husband is searching for his bride, he comes across 27 kokle players who are able to tell him which direction to go. In other words, kokle players have an innate ability to show us all the correction direction to go in life.

Perhaps the foremost kokle performer in Latvia today is ethnomusicologist Valdis Muktupāvels, who not only produced this album, but also appears on multiple tracks, including the first song on the album – the instrumental “Kurzemes zvani”. Inspired by time spent on the Swedish island of Gotland, listening to church bells, this tranquil and spiritual work captures the peace and calm of listening to church bells ringing in the countryside.

Another young artist pushing the boundaries of kokle performance is Laima Jansone, who often produces lively and fiery works for the instrument. One of those is “Pavasara grīslis”, a picturesque and energetic work inspired by the spring sedge. Jansone is known for her dynamic performances, and this song is no exception – in its depiction of this plant it contains all the joy and rebirth of springtime.

The album also balances the modern interpretations with more traditional kokle based performances, such as the song “Apkārtnīca” performed by the female folk group Laiksne. The group actually added the musical kokle accompaniment to the song, which is normally sung without instruments. This lively, exuberant performance captures the spirited nature of this song, about a journey through the town of Nīca.

Of course, the kokle is important in many Baltic and Nordic cultures, and this is reflected on the album as well, with performers such as Leanne Barbo from Estonia and Jenni Venäläinen from Finland. Barbo, who also plays with drum and bagpipe group Auļi (where she plays the bagpipes), performs the energetic “Veclaiku polka”, and Venäläinen performs with ethnomusicologist Ansis Jansons (who also appeared playing the kokle on the talent show Latvijas Zelta talanti) on the somber “Veļu dziesma”

As with many releases from the Lauska label (which specializes in Latvian folklore), the packaging for this album is exceptional. It is in the form of a hardback book, and has extensive notes on all of the songs and performers, as well as an extensive history of the kokle itself, in English and in Latvian. This is supplemented by many fascinating photographs, with some dating to the 1930s and 40s. Altogether it makes for a fitting tribute to this instrument.

Collecting a broad range of performances from many of Latvia’s top kokle players, Trejdeviņi koklētāji is a celebration of the musical instrument which perhaps most accurately defines the national psyche. At once simple and traditional, but, at closer glance, varied and multi-faceted, the instrument, in the hands of one of many of Latvia’s talented players, comes to life with its distinctive sound and texture. The legend of the three-times-nine kokle players, though ancient, is still quite relevant in these modern days, as shown by the extraordinary performances on Trejdeviņi koklētāji.

For further information, please visit the Lauska website.

Various artists

Trejdeviņi koklētāji
Lauska, LAUSKA CD063, 2016

Track listing:

1. Kurzemes zvani – Valdis Muktupāvels
2. Pa taciņu uz pirtiņu – Vētras saites
3. Veclaiku polka – Leanne Barbo
4. Bērzgales kadrija – Māris Muktupāvels
5. Ēnu deja – Cantata
6. Apkārtnīca – Laiksne
7. Šai saulē, šai zemē – Valdis Muktupāvels, Rūta Muktupāvela, Agnese Kanniņa-Liepiņa, Kristiāna Ozoliņa, Kārlis Klotiņš
8. Veļu dziesma – Ansis Jansons, Jenni Venäläinen
9. Mēmais balodis svešumā – Sanita Sprūža
10. Melnā jūra – Valdis Muktupāvels, Ainars Šablovskis
11. Pavasara grīslis – Laima Jansone
12. Kur tu teci, miega pele – Kristīne Ādmine, Artis Gulbis
13. Sansulas ūdens – Valdis Muktupāvels, Rūta Muktupāvela

 

Raxtu raxti, a group that melds Latvian folk styles and performances with popular songs, has quickly become one of the most popular groups in Latvia. Their 2015 album Es atradu tautasdziesmu, where they mostly performed the songs of composer Imants Kalniņš, but with folk influenced arrangements, was one of the highlights of the Latvian music world that year. After many successful performances in Latvia, the group quickly returned to the studio to record their follow-up.

This time, the group decided to record an album of songs based around the Latvian midsummer festival Jāņi, which resulted in the album simply and appropriately titled Līgo. Featuring songs inspired by this celebration, the album is again a combination of traditional sounds and lyrics with contemporary performances and arrangements.

Raxtu raxti is made up of both well-known folk musicians as well as members of the Latvian pop group Autobuss debesīs. On Līgo, the musicians are Kristīne Kārkle on vocals and violin, Marts Kristiāns Kalniņš (vocals, keyboards), Edgars Kārklis (vocals, bagpipes), Kārlis Auzāns (cello, guitar), Armands Treilihs (drums) and are joined by Artis Orubs (percussion) and Ilze Grunte (guitar). And, as on their debut album, this collection of musicians from different musical genres turns in a winning performance.

As the Midsummer festival is, at its foundation, a pagan festival, the songs presented on the album tend more towards the mystical aspects of the celebration. This becomes evident starting with the first song, “Lec saulīte”, which is introduced by Kārkle’s echoing vocals. The song, with folk lyrics and music by Marts Kristiāns Kalniņš, is about the tradition of waiting for the sun to rise on the morning of June 24^th, and captures the magic of that moment.

The celebratory aspect of Midsummer is presented in “Es dziedāju, gavilēju”, with its enthusiastic pronouncement of “Pļavas mežus skandēdami, Jāņu dienu gaidīdam’” (The fields and forests resounded as we waited for Midsummer) are supplemented by Kārkle’s violin to make for a particularly joyous performance.

The fantastic legends of Midsummer night are the basis for the energetic “Bur man burvji, skauž man skauģi” (folk song lyrics with music by Kārlis Auzāns), a song of conjuring and protecting one’s homestead against the witches, warlocks and other jealous types that ride during the night. The song, a duet of Kalniņš and Kārkle, weaves a memorable musical vision of this battle with evil spirits.

The song “Parādies(i), tu, Saulīte” with its driving drums, might remind some of the bagpipe and drum ensemble Auļi, which is not particularly surprising, as Edgars Kārklis also plays bagpipes in Auļi. The songs of Auļi are also often based on Latvian traditions and folk beliefs, and this also shines through this song about summoning the sun to appear.

Releasing an album of just Jāņi songs could be considered limiting, if not a bit of a risk, as many Midsummer folk songs are not that familiar to most listeners (considering the multitude of songs, only a handful are comparatively well known). Also, some might think that the material for the songs is limited (how many songs can you sing about the sun, fire, beer and, sometimes, cheese?) Still, Raxtu Raxti show that there is quite the depth of thematic material to present to listeners, and that there is a wealth of imagery and styles that can be shown.

Showing that their debut album was no fluke, Līgo, Raxtu Raxti’s second album, reinforces the notion that the group is one of the most notable ensembles in Latvia today. Līgo presents an engaging and memorable musical tapestry of Midsummer, the shortest night in the calendar. Combining both elements of Latvian folklore and legends, along with adept and engaging musicianship, the album is a creative and enjoyable tour of this Latvian celebration.

For further information, please visit the Raxtu Raxti Facebook page.

Raxtu raxti

Līgo
Premium Art, PA3, 2016

Track listing:

1. Lec, Saulīte!
2. Kad Saulīte meita bija
3. Rūgtin’ grūga alutiņ(i)s
4. Saules meita jostu auda
5. Līdz pašam(i) Ziemeļam
6. Klusi, klusi
7. Es dziedāju, gavilēju
8. Visu gadu Jānīts jāja
9. Bur man burvji, skauž man skaugi
10. Dedziet gaišu Jāņu guni
11. Parādies(i), tu, Saulīte
12. Saule nāca līgodama

 

Latvian bass baritone Egils Siliņš, perhaps the best known Latvian opera singer internationally, has graced stages all over the world, including the New York Metropolitan Opera, the Royal Opera House in London, La Scala in Milan, and many others. His career has spanned multiple decades, and has won many awards for his performances. With engagements all over the world, he rarely has time to return to his native Latvia, but he still manages to perform for Latvian audiences when he can.

Though Siliņš’ repertoire includes operas from all over the world, he continues to sing works by Latvian composers, raising awareness of these works. One such event was his solo concert at the Jūrmala Dzintari Hall on October 31, 2015, where he performed vocal works by Latvian composers, accompanied by pianist Māris Skuja. The concert was recorded, and is now available on CD with the simple, laconic title Latvian Songs. The CD was released by the Latvian Music Information Centre’s record label Skani as part of their Centennial Series, in anticipation of the 100^th anniversary of the Latvian nation in 1918.

And what better way to celebrate Latvia’s centennial with some of the greatest Latvian solo songs? The collection gathers many beloved songs from the 20^th century (particularly from the early 20^th century, from the time of Latvia’s first independence), and is an excellent and valuable gift to Latvia.

Siliņš’ versatility makes him an ideal choice to interpret these songs. The songs, obviously quite different than the Wagnerian works that Siliņš routinely performs, require a much gentler, personal touch. Particularly the works of Latvian composer Emīls Dārziņš, himself a particularly fragile, tragic persona. As many Latvian composers of the early 20^th century, Dārziņš’ works are romantic, sentimental, and, appropriately for a Latvian composer, melancholic. Songs like “Teici to stundu, to brīdi” and “Aizver actiņas un smaidi” which remain not just cornerstones of the Latvian solo repertoire, but also beloved favorites, allow Siliņš to exhibit a more tender side, with Skuja’s accompaniment allowing for a particular intimacy. Dārziņš was also multi-faceted, such as in the atypical dramatic work “Spāniešu romance” (lyrics by Vilis Plūdonis, based on a work by Pushkin), where Siliņš commands: ‘Parādies!’ (Appear!) to the beautiful Spanish maiden.

Perhaps the most significant figure in 20^th century Latvian classical music is Jāzeps Vītols, and this collection also includes many of his works. Though Vītols also had his share of romantic songs, such as “Pie tava augstā, baltā loga”, his songs also entered the realms of the fantastic, such as “Biķeris miroņu salā”, a mystical poem by poet Jānis Poruks about a goblet that gathers uneasy spirits on the island of the dead. Siliņš’ performance accentuates the mysterious and tragic in this work, engrossing the listener in this dark tale.

Though the bulk of the collection is early 20^th century works, the CD also includes works by diaspora Latvian composers, for example, Bruno Skulte, who lived in exile in New York. As with many exiled Latvians, the loss of Latvia was tragic and heartbreaking, and this is reflected in Skulte’s work “Sapņu zeme” (lyrics by Kārlis Zāle). This wistful song – an ode to a lost dreamland – again reflects a more personal touch by Siliņš, particularly in the closing moments, where Siliņš sings “Tu tālā Dievzemīt, Tu mana Latvija” (Only you, dearest land, so far away, Only you, my Latvia). Also on the collection is “Miestiņš” by Canadian Latvian Tālivaldis Ķeniņš, an idyllic, slightly humorous and somewhat nostalgic work about a picturesque small village. Māris Skuja’s piano plays a particularly active role here, perhaps indicating the bustling activity, as Siliņš describes the inhabitants (such as the butcher, who is always talking).

The album also includes songs by composers Jānis Kaniņš, Emilis Melngailis, Alfrēds Kalniņš, Jānis Mediņš, and Arvīds Žilinskis. There are notes on Siliņš and Skuja in Latvian and English, and all of the song lyrics are provided (with English translations).

Latvian Songs captures not just one of the most significant, but easily one of the best concerts in Latvia in recent years. Egils Siliņš reaffirms his place as one of the premiere vocalists not just in Latvia, but worldwide, and, as is shown by this performance, he is also a premiere interpreter of these Latvian vocal masterworks. Celebrating one hundred years of Latvian vocal works, as performed by Egils Siliņš, Latvian Songs is truly one of the greatest gifts Latvia could receive.

For further information, please visit the Skani record label website.

 

Egils Siliņš

Latvian Songs
LMIC, SKANI 045, 2016

Track listing:

Emīls Dārziņš
1. Teici to stundu, to brīdi
2. Kad būs as’ras izraudātas
3. Vēl tu rozes plūc
4. Aizver actiņas un smaidi
5. Sāpju spites
6. Mana laime
7. Kā zagšus
8. Spāniešu romance

Jānis Kalniņš

9. Par katru stundu

Emilis Melngailis

10. Zeltītas lapas

Alfrēds Kalniņš

11. Rudeņa zieds
12. Brīnos es…

Jāzeps Vītols

13. Pie tava, augstā, baltā loga
14. Baltā bērza šupolītē
15. Biķeris miroņu salā
16. Kokļu skaņas
17. Orhidejas sapnis
18. Aizver actiņas un smaidi
19. Man prātā stāv vēl klusā nakts
20. Klausies, spulgacīt!

Jānis Mediņš

21. Aka
22. Glāsts

Tālivaldis Ķeniņš

23. Miestiņš

Bruno Skulte

24. Sapņu zeme

Arvīds Žilinskis

25. Aktiera mūžs

 

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.