As we reported in December, popular goaltender Arturs Irbe has been named to the International Ice Hockey Federation’s Hall of Fame. Now it is official: Irbe and four other persons were inducted May 23 during a ceremony in Cologne, Germany.

Irbe, who now is the goaltending coach for the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League, became the second Latvian to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Helmuts Balderis—who played for the Soviet Olympic team, Dinamo Rīga and, briefly, the Minnesota North Stars—was inducted in 1988.

Irbe, known by fans as “The Wall,” began his carrer in the 1980s in Soviet-occupied Latvia. Among his achievements was helping the Carolina Hurricanes get to the 2002 Stanley Cup finals.

“Perhaps Irbe’s proudest moment, however, came when he dressed for his native Latvia for the first time, in the 1996 IIHF B Pool World Championship,” according to an IIHF biography of Irbe. “He led Latvia to promotion to the top division and the country has never looked back.”

The induction ceremony came during the close of the 2010 IIHF World Championship, which was won by the Czech Republic. The Czechs defeated Russia 2-1 for the gold medal. Latvia finished 11th overall.

A recording of Latvian composer Pēteris Vasks’ “Gadalaiki” (The Seasons) has been released on compact disc by the German company Wergo.

Interpreted by young pianist Vestards Šimkus, the composition includes four parts: “Baltā ainava” (White Scenery), “Pavasara muzika” (Spring Music), “Zaļā ainava” (Green Scenery) and “Rudens mūzika” (Autumn Music). Also on the disc is Vasks’ “Vasaras vakara mūzika” (Music for a Summer Evening).

Vasks began work on “Gadalaiki” in the 1970s. The world premiere of the cycle, presented in concert last year, earned the Great Latvian Music Award in March.

The composer expressed pleasure in Šimkus as the interpreter of his work.

“When I first heard Vestards Šimkus playing I instantly understood—he is just the right interpreter,” Vasks said in a press release from Wergo. “It was a close and deep understanding from the first till the last sound. The notes turned into colors, scents, started to breathe, and “The Seasons” came into being.”

For more information on the recording, visit Wergo’s website, www.wergo.de.

New Latvian pop duo Musiqq has released its debut album, Šī ir tikai mūzika, according to Rīga-based recording company MICREC.

Musiqq consists of Marats Ogļezņevs and Emīls Balceris, who come from Liepāja. Musiqq has gained popularity with radio hits such as “Klimata kontrole,” “Abrakadabra” and “Dzimšanas diena,” all of which are included on the album.

“The album from the first to the last song seems made for parties and this spring certainly will be an integral ingredient in every event with good friends,” according to a MICREC press release. The album was released March 25.

Ogļezņev, formerly with the group Device, wrote and produced all songs on the album, according to MICREC. Balceris has seen success in various music competitions, including “Latvijas talants 2007” and the television show “Koru kari.”

Tracks on the album include:

• Šī ir tikai mūzika
• Dzimšanas diena
• Viņa
• Stereotipi
• Laiks pieder mums
• Tu neej prom
• Abrakadabra
• Jāprot saskatīt
• Klimata kontrole
• No 10 – 10
• Vārdi nenāk viegli
• Pirmā mana Ziemassvētku sarakstā

Further information about the duo is available from Musiqq’s page on the social network draugiem.lv.