Latvian saxophonist Oskars Petrauskis, throughout his long career, has established himself as a distinguished and versatile musician, who has shown his skills in many music genres, including classical and jazz, and has worked with many different ensembles and composers.

Among his many notable collaborations is his work with renowned Latvian composer Ēriks Ešenvalds. This partnership has resulted in many memorable musical moments, and the fruits of their efforts have been collected on the album Gratitude, released by the Prima Classic label in 2025.

Beyond Petrauskis’ saxophone, the album also features many other illustrious Latvian musicians, including soprano Marina Rebeka, organist Liene Kalnciema, and the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra, which, on this album, is conducted by British conductor Douglas Bostock.

Ešenvalds has achieved success and international recognition for his choir music, and one of his most popular choir songs is ‘O Salutaris Hostia’. This album features two versions of the work, one arranged for solo saxophone and organ, while the second also includes vocals by Rebeka. Ešenvalds has exhibited an unparalleled skill in creating memorable choral works, and the original choir work stood out with its beautiful melodies and harmonies performed by two sopranos. In the version for organ and saxophone, Petrauskis’ saxophone ebbs and flows elegantly, and in the version with soprano, Rebeka’s soaring voice intertwines in harmony with the saxophone, resulting in an elevated, exalted performance.

Ešenvalds compositions are often of a sacred and spiritual nature, and one such work is ‘Adoremus in Aeternum’ for saxophone and organ, a meditative work which begins with Gregorian elements, as it gradually builds to a climax and a kind of spiritual awakening. Petrauskis’ gentle and flowing saxophone performance gives the work its spiritual core, and the saxophone interplay with the organ, performed by Kalnciema, gives the performance a rarefied atmosphere.

Themes of nature, and elements inspired by arctic climates and the northern lights also frequently appear in Ešenvalds’ music, and the composer has created many long form works with these themes, including the clarinet concerto Arctic Night Visions (2012) and the multimedia symphony Northern Lights (2015). To complete this trilogy, Ešenvalds composed the Saxophone Concerto: Visions of the Arctic. Sea. The work was developed in close collaboration with Petrauskis, and is performed here with the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Douglas Bostock. The expansive three movement concerto, features Ešenvalds’ inspired landscapes and imagery, is vividly performed by Petrauskis and the orchestra.

In an interview with both Petrauskis and Ešenvalds on Latvian Radio 3 Klasika, Petrauskis details the close interaction the two had when developing the album. For example, the idea of composing a saxophone concerto occurred when both were in a store. Also, Ešenvalds also mentioned his hope that this album will further raise awareness of Latvian music throughout the world, particularly the combination of the saxophone and the organ.

Gathering together many luminaries from the world of Latvian music, including organist Liene Kalnciema, soprano Marina Rebeka, and the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra conducted by Douglas Bostock, saxophonist Oskars Petrauskis presents an expansive and memorable collection of compositions by Ēriks Ešenvalds on the album Gratitude. Highlighting both Ešenvalds’ internationally well known talents with melody and musical imagery, and Petrauskis singular and expressive saxophone, along with organ, orchestra and vocals, the album will certainly raise the visibility of Latvian compositions throughout the world.

For further information, please visit Oskars Petrauskis’ Facebook page and the Prima Classic website and Ēriks Ešenvalds’ website.

Gratitude

Oskars Petrauskis

Prima Classic, PRIMA108, 2025

Track listing:

1. O Salutaris Hostia (Arr. for soprano saxophone and organ)

2. Adoremus in Aeternum (for soprano saxophone and organ)

3. Laudate Dominum (for alto saxophone and organ)

Saxophone Concerto: Visions of the Arctic. Sea:

4. 1st Movement

5. 2nd Movement

6. 3rd Movement

7. O Salutaris Hostia – Featuring Marina Rebeka (Arr. for soprano, soprano saxophone, and organ)