Marimba and percussion virtuoso Rihards Zaļupe has been expanding his horizons, both as a producer (he produced Pāri robežām, the most recent album by Latvian Voices), and has also turned to composition in various styles.

He composes in many different styles, and has composed for film, theater, choir, and instrumental works, some of which can be found on his 2008 album Marimba Dance, which won a Latvian Music Records Award in 2009 for best debut.

Zaļupe’s most recent release is Z Atmosfēras, which, as its title might indicate, is a collection of atmospheric instrumental works, combining percussion and electronic music to create an intimate and personal collection of songs.

Zaļupe, who performs all the instruments on the album, is primarily known for his marimba performances, and this instrument figures on many of the tracks on the album, including “Agrs rīts”, where the marimba and electronic music combine to form a lush musical tapestry to represent the dawn of a new day. In Zaļupe’s composition, the day approaches in waves, with steady crescendos giving way to brief moments of quiet, as the echoes fade. The work concludes with a slow fade, only to roar back in the final moments.

Zaļupe also imbues his works with elements from Latvian folk music, such as in “Miegs ziemeļos”, which includes a fragment of the melody of the Latvian folk song “Sidrabiņa lietiņš lija”. Here the marimba interplays with the piano to create a dreamy vision of sleep in the Nordics. This work, as well as a few others on the album, begins with Zaļupe reciting poetry by his wife Sondra, in an oddly monotone delivery.

The marimba is again the focus of “Sakrālā meditācija”, a work inspired by sacred meditation, and the marimba plays the role of the prayer, repeated again and again, then built upon with further marimba melodies, until achieving a kind of enlightenment at the end. Zaļupe deftly weaves together the various marimba parts to create a captivating musical introspection.

All the works on the album are woven together with a winter theme, such as on “Ziemassvētku trakums” (Christmas Craze), one of the more up-tempo works on the album, where the marimba plays an almost incessant, repetitive melody, perhaps to indicate a kind of mania. The work then continues with various percussive sound effects (which may lead the listener to think of cash registers, a la the Pink Floyd song “Money”). All the time, the tempo becomes faster, with a corresponding increase in tension, however, the ending is calm, indicating that all available energy has been expended.

As befits its title, the compositions on Rihards Zaļupe’s Z Atmosfēras are dreamy and atmospheric, calm and reflective. Listeners that may have expected the percussive fireworks that Zaļupe has displayed elsewhere may be slightly disappointed – though the marimba and percussion play a key role in these works, they are intentionally restrained and meditative. Zaļupe confirms again that he is not only one of the most talented, but also most creative musicians in Latvia, and these compositions blend together various instruments and sounds to create an engaging and rich meditative journey.

For further information, please visit Rihards Zaļupe’s website.

Rihards Zaļupe

Z Atmosfēras
Green River Music, 2016

Track listing:

1. Agrs rīts
2. Miegs ziemeļos
3. Netīruma krāsa
4. Putnezeme
5. Sakrālā meditācija
6. Stāsts par senām skumjām
7. Ziemassvētku trakums
8. Plāksnes un zvani

 

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