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.

Drum and bagpipe folklore group Auļi, who have been playing and performing around the world for more than a decade, have released their latest album Gadalokos. As the title would indicate, the theme of this collection is the Latvian seasons, and includes sixteen compositions (plus two additional bonus reworked songs) that traces the Latvian year, from the frost of winter, all through the spring and summer, and back again to the winter solstice in December.

Auļi, whose distinct sound makes their songs and performances instantly recognizable, have long been one of the best known Latvian folklore acts worldwide. Group members include bagpipe players Kaspars Bārbals, Leanne Barbo, Gatis Indrēvics, Māris Jēkabsons, Edgars Kārklis, and Normunds Vaivads, as well as drummers Kaspars Indrēvics, Edgars Krūmiņš, Mārtiņš Miļevskis, and Andris Buls.

The collection begins with ‘Sala laiks’ (or ‘time of frost’), and the cold beginning of the year still contains a burst of energy (as many of the group’s compositions do). Though it may be dark and cold, the work joyfully heralds the beginning of a new year.

A solemn stabule (or reed pipe) begins the song ‘Ūsiņi’, a celebration of the deity Ūsiņš and heralding the beginning of summer. Ūsiņš is often depicted in Latvian folk songs as riding a horse throughout the fields, and the galloping nature of this song is an appropriately mystic and energetic depiction of this Latvian legend.

Balancing the often masculine Latvian deities are the feminine spirits such as Māra (one of the most important Latvian deities, symbolizing Mother Nature in many ways), and her time of the year is the end of the summer and beginning of the autumn. This time was also a celebration of farm animals such as cows, goats, and sheep. The group present their vision of this day in the song ‘Māras diena’, which begins with a celebratory fanfare in the bagpipes, before presenting the bustle of the day as the farmers gave thanks to their animals (and also baked a lot of bread, also a custom of this day).

The sixteen song cycle comes full circle with the closing track ‘Kaladū!’, a celebration of the winter solstice at the end of December. The work, one of the more somber pieces on the album, is almost mournful, perhaps to reflect the limited daylight of this day. Though this may be the longest night, the winter solstice has many traditions associated with it, particularly the dragging of the log to ward away evil spirits. The song captures this ancient tradition, and also the positive aspects and hope of this day – the longest night is now past, and each subsequent day will become longer and longer.

The CD packaging includes a few notes on the group and the concept of the album, but may have benefitted from additional information about these unique Latvian seasons, as many listeners might not be immediately familiar with events like Metens and Ūsiņi and their significance. There is an interesting note that the album was also inspired by a pendant with a calendar found in an archaeological excavation in Tukums in 1999-2000.

Always energetic and rousing, this journey through the Latvian seasons presented on Gadalokos is a particularly engrossing offering from Auļi. Though limited to just drums and bagpipes on most of the tracks, the music is always engaging and never repetitive. The unique characteristics of each of these days and seasons are presented vividly in these compositions, and the album offers a unique musical view of the rich Latvian folklore calendar.

For further information, please visit the Auļi website.

Auļi

Gadalokos
Lauska, LAUSKA CD065, 2016

Track listing:

1. Sala laiks
2. Metens
3. Sērsnu laiks
4. Lieldienu kadrija
5. Pavasara laiks
6. Ūsiņi
7. Ziedu laiks
8. Jāņu nakts
9. Siena laiks
10. Māras diena
11. Rudens laiks
12. Apjumības
13. Veļu laiks
14. Mārtiņi
15. Ledus laiks
16. Kaladū
17. Salniņa
18. Pieguļā