Latvian folk ensemble Trejasmens perform songs from and about the Ropaži parish (in the Vidzeme region, east of Riga) in Latvia. Combining songs and stories, their albums reveal the extensive cultural and historical richness of this region.

Their latest album – Mežā un ciemā – was released in 2022, and, as per the group, this collection is dedicated to the ‘cultural and historical monuments, historical events and natural treasures’ of Ropaži.

Trejasmens, who have been performing together since the early 2000s, combine many different styles into their performances – from more traditional, even ancient styles to songs in a more modern style with electric instruments. The Latvian kokle provides the foundation for the somber ‘Divi dienas mežā gāju’, while ‘Kas redzejēa Auseklīti’, a song about going off to war, is infused with the sounds of Renaissance-era music.

The initial calmness on the album is broken by the sounds of electric guitars on ‘Ogļdeģi’, a song that would also fit in with the repertoire of Latvian metal ensemble Skyforger, ‘Juglas bērni’ is only vocals and electric guitar, but no less intense or powerful.

As on their previous album – 2018’s No Ropažnieku dzīves – the songs are interwoven with spoken stories. On Mežā un ciemā these include ‘Kūpošie Uzkalniņi’, a story about burning trees and the resulting charcoals (there are approximately 4000 such charcoal piles), as well as ‘Mazās Juglas Kaujas’ – Latvian rifleman Kārlis Baltgailis’ harrowing memories of the battle of the Mazā Jugla River during World War I.

Though most of the performances on the album are somber and serious, with mainly folk song texts, the album takes an unexpected turn at the end, concluding with the almost ‘indie rock’ style of ‘Skolas diena’, a bouncy song about the first day of school.

The CD booklet supplements these stories (in Latvian and English) with additional historical notes – like the venerable old oaks of Ropaži,  the unique geological formations of the ‘Lielie Kangari’ nature reserve, and the Endzeliņi Tavern, a place that often resulted in supernatural occurrences for visitors.

Blending both ancient and modern instruments, Trejasmens present the cultural wealth of the Ropaži Parish on Mežā un ciemā. The group is deeply studied in history and archeology, and the knowledge they have gained adds to the authenticity of the performances on the album.

For further information, please visit the Lauska website.

Mežā un ciemā

Trejasmens

Lauska CD099, 2022

Track listing:

1. Divi dienas mežā gāju
2. Kas redzēja Auseklīti
3. Vēlā vakarā Kangaros
4. Ropalniekam trīs dēliņi
5. Kūpošie uzkalniņi
6. Ogļdeģi
7. Lielā Jugla – pavasara ceļš
8. Juglas bērni
9. Gadījumi Mācītājmuižā
10. Mazās Juglas kaujas (Strēlnieka Kārļa Baltgaiļa atmiņas)
11. Kad ar uzvaru
12. Naudas māte
13. Skolas diena

Mixed choir Juventus, of the University of Latvia, has had a long and storied history. Founded in 1920, the choir has been active for more than a century and has been led by many distinguished Latvian conductors, such as Haralds Mednis, Daumants Gailis, and Juris Kļaviņš. Throughout its history, the choir has been recognized as one of the premiere amateur choirs in Latvia.

The choir, which celebrated its centenary in 2020, is now conducted by Valdis Tomsons. To celebrate their 100th anniversary, the choir recorded an album of new works – twelve works by twelve distinguished Latvian composers. No small feat, considering that much of the work was done during a global pandemic, when choir rehearsals and performances almost came to a complete halt worldwide.

The resulting album – entitled Jauns sākums (or New Beginning), was released in 2022, and is a digital-only release that can be found on multiple streaming services. The album serves as a bridge between the choir’s two centuries of activity.

The celebratory ‘Rasa’, with music and words by composer Laura Jēkabsone, along with elements from Latvian folksongs, opens the collection. The choir delivers a clearly articulated and crisp performance, as Jēkabsone’s composition moves from an energetic beginning to a more melodic mid-section.

Guitarist Kaspars Zemītis provides the peaceful, jazzy ‘Dialogs’, which begins and ends with the choir simulating the sound of rain, and then, accompanied by the composer himself on guitar, the choir forms a kind of dialog between the male and female voices, resulting in a gently flowing performance.

Composer Jēkabs Jančevskis contributes the somber and haunting ‘Klāt pie sevis’. Similarly, Irīna Mihailovska’s composition ‘Semikols’ (Semicolon), for which Mihailovska also wrote the words, also has tragic undertones – the semicolon here is a symbol of those who have had suicidal thoughts, and the choir provides an achingly beautiful interpretation of this emotional work.

Ārījs Šķepasts has often had world music elements in his choir music, particularly Eastern motifs. ‘Tu tuvināji mani mūžībai’ is inspired by Indian raga music, infused with elements from Latvian popular music (particularly the work of Imants Kalniņš) and the resulting work is atmospheric and immersive, enhanced by the soaring voices of the choir.

The choir presents works of many styles on this collection, and does not shy away from more challenging and difficult works. Composer Andris Dzenītis is known for his complex and intricate choir compositions, and ‘The Morning of the World’ (words by Pablo Picasso) is no exception. At times discordant and harsh, but also harmonious and calm, the work displays the versatility of the choir when singing this multi-faceted and multi-layered composition.

The album also contains works by Valts Pūce, Arturs Maskats, Jēkabs Nīmanis, Andris Sējāns, the group “Sigma”, and Jānis Ķirsis.

In 2023, in addition to preparing for the Latvian Song and Dance Festival in July, the choir will also be traveling to Maribor in Slovenia for the Gallus – Maribor International Choral Competition.

Though the choir is now in its second century of activity, it remains true to its name (‘Juventus’ meaning ‘Youth’), and the dozen performances on Jauns sākums confirm Juventus’ status as one of the best amateur mixed choirs in Latvia. In addition to displaying the skills of the choir and conductor Valdis Tomsons, it also reveals the wide variety and styles of Latvian composers – at times melodic, at times challenging, other times melancholy, even tragic. Juventus and Valdis Tomsons have set a new course – a new beginning – with these twelve memorable performances.

For further information, please visit the Juventus website and the choir Juventus Facebook page.

Jauns sākums

Mixed Choir Juventus

2022

Track listing:

1. Rasa – Laura Jēkabsone
2. Dialogs – Kaspars Zemītis
3. The Morning of the World – Andris Dzenītis
4. Mēs iedegamies cits no cita – Valts Pūce
5. Vējasuns – Arturs Maskats
6. Tu tuvināji mani mūžībai – Ārijs Šķepasts
7. Tulkojums – Jēkabs Nīmanis
8. Un tad vienā jaukā dienā – Andris Sējāns
9. Klāt pie sevis – Jēkabs Jančevskis
10. Semikols – Irīna Mihailovska
11. Kalnā – music by the group “Sigma”, arranged by Platons Buravickis
12. Gaisma – Jānis Ķirsis